f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.? 

^ r .Jx f 

If^^^'' |opnn,htfa | 

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. J 



MARIA MNE 



BEING THE THIRD OF THE TRAGEDIES OF JEWISH 



AND BIBLICAL HISTORY 



AND THE 



SECOND IN CONTINUATION OF VOLUME VI 



OF THE DRAMATIC SERIES 



I/AUGHTON OSBORN 




NEW YORK J 
Henky L. Hinton, 744 Broadwat 
M nccc Lxxm 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

LAUGHTON ORBOEN, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



MARIAMNE 

MDOCCLXX 



CHAKACTERS, Etc. 

Herod, King of Judea. 

Joseph, his uncle, Salome's husband. 

Aeistoboulos, Mariamne's brother, High-priest. 

Antipater, Herod's son by Doris. 

Alexander, > ^^ „ , ,, . 

> Herod s sons by Manamne. 
Akistoboulos, j 

Hykcanus, Mariainne^s grandfather, formerly High-priest and 

Mhnarch under Ccesar. 

Simeon, a prominent member of the Sanhedrim. 

Saebion, an adherent of Alexandra's. 

^sop, one of Alexandra's household. 

Maeiamne, Herod's favorite wife. 

Alexandra, her mother, widow of Alexander, son of Aristo- 

boulos King, and daughter of Hyrcanus. 
Salome, Herod's sister. 
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. 
Doris, Herod's first loife. 

Two of Herod's train. Guards with their Captain. Officers of 
the King's household. Members of the Sanhedrim. 

Scene. In Act I., in and near Alexandra's house at Jericho. In 
the remaining Acts, in the King's House at Jerusalem. 



MAEIAMNE 



Act the First 

Scene. A room in the house of Alexandra, at Jericho. 

Herod. Sabbion. 

Her. Hast thou made sure the horsemen be arriv'd ? 
Sal). Sent by the Queen of Egypt ? Yea, O King. 
I found them on the sea shore, ' stretch'd at ease 
On the warm sand, the while their steeds take food, 

Waiting the coffins 

Her. With their living dead. 
And are these truly here ? 

Sab. Since twilight here. 
Would the King see them ? 

Her. No. It was a wile 
Worthy of Cleopatra and of her 
Who matches her, if not in subtle craft 



1G8 MAKIAMNE 



Yet in industrious malice, and in intrigue 
Kestless as her ambition, which sleeps not, 
Or with half-open eyes, — of her, I mean, 
My spouse's mother and, to my aggrief, 
The grandchild of a king. How took the dame 
The news of my arrival ? 

Sab. As one hears 
A thunderclap, while yet the distant clouds 
Have given no warning. I had some ado 
To keep her shaft to the bowstring, urging flight 
While means were in procinct ; that, if pursu'd, 
The royal train was scanty, nor could cope 
With the Galatians.2 

Her. In her woman's mind. 
Which brooks not disappointment, the lis'd will 
Would do more than thy urgence. 

Sai. But my haste 
To warn her of thy coming, the belief 
That I, her friend, was still among the foes 
Of Herod King, did more to waken trust 
In my close promptings ; which took added force. 
That I had caught the secret unawares 
No man was told but ^sop.^ 

He?'. It is well, 
O Sabbion, nor against thee shall the past 
Be once remember'd. Thougli thou hadst taken part, 
As thou reneg'st, in my great father's death,* 
Yet for thy love-deed to the son even that 
Should be as it were bury'd. But this boy, 



ACT I. sc. 1. 169 

Whom for her sake, — for quiet, I would say, — 

I lifted to the seat that was her sire's,^ 

Seest thou, I shall have trouble while he lives. 

Had she made good her flight, hadst thou, my friend, 

(Thou shalt have royal guerdon,) been less prompt. 

Or I been distant farther 'Tis a thouglit 

Grim as a nightmare : now 'tis shaken off, 
I dread to sleep again. Is this to be ? 
Shall my mind know no slumber, but the hand 
Of Alexandra must press on ray breast 
And her boy's fingers seem to loose the knot 
That ties my diadem? Thou didst note of late 
How, at the Feast of Tents, the people gaz'd 
On the lad's beauty and his kinglike mien. 
Where in Iiis gold and purple, bell'd and boss'd, 
With tire like Aaron's, at the vail he stood, 
Awful yet youthful. I have heard men sigh'd, 

Comparing him with me, and wish'd the plate 

That glitter'd on his frontlet were a crown 
That should replace my fillet. 

Sal). They were men 

To set boy David, dancing round the Ark, 

Before the might and majesty of Saul. 
Eer. Thou flatterest, but thou soothest not. I am told, _ 

They prated of his foresires and their deeds 

Achiev'd for Israel, and how little meet 

It was a new stock should supplant the old 

That grew so glorious. 

Sal. Is it fifty years, 



170 MARIAMNE 



(Bear my correction !) siuce that boasted stock, 

Propp'd on the glory by Matthias won 

And his five sons in battle, after stain'd 

By tyrant and by kindred blood, reach'd up, 

Through him who starv'd his mother and took off 

By murderous hands his brother,® reach'd and snatch'd 

Through him, the monarch of a year, that band 

This boy of the same name will never wear, 

And which his father wore not? Scarcely more 

Than twice that time has pass'd since those brave men, 

Sprung with their sire from a village priest,' 

Became tlie lords by valor of this realm. 

AVhat had they, or in prowess or in birth, 

Or in the skill to govern, or in deeds 

That make illustrious and extend a realm, 

That wants my lord the King, that not his sire 

Might boast of, whom great Julius rated well, 

That judge of valiant men ? 

Her. Again I say, 
Thou flatterest me, but soothest not. Thou art shrewd 
And talkest wisely, but thou hast no skill 
To read the people. Fickle, fond of change 
From envy of success and hate of power. 
The past to them is glorious, and the yoke 
Lighter that has been borne than that they bear. 
Though they have put it on, themselves, and dragg'd 
"With emulous necks the car of triumph. Perch 
Each day a victory on my helm ; to cross. 
And prison, and the soldier's sword, through me. 



ACT I. SC. 1. 171 

Give all the robbers tliat e'er hauuted cave,* 
And make the land from Dan to Beersbeba 
Secure from pillage or the spoil of war, 
I should not give content. The Maccabees 
Glow in the distant heaven and loom large. 
The old Hjrcanus with his earless head* 
Recalls his great precursor," and the boy 
Whose downy lips his daughter would have tempt 
Rome's great triumvir," even in his name 
Carries a magic which sheds no like spell 
On mine. 

Sab. With pardon of my lord, the spell 
Is in his name itself, which mighty deeds 
Have circled with a glory whose broad rays 
Dazzle the world even now, and after time 
Shall lighten, through its records, making known 
The first crown'd Herod as the Herod Great. 

ffer. Ah, might that be! But to ensure that name 
I must have scope for action, nor my mark 
Be cross'd by rivals, or made dim by mists 
Of household quarrel. Cleopatra's nod 
Is all but absolute with Antonius. Get 

The boy beneath her wing I almost wish 

That burial-project had been carry'd out. 
They might have stifled, the intriguing pair. 
In their false coffins, and their fate had seem'd 
Just punishment for them, reward for me. 

Sab. 'Tis not too late, my lord. The cloths drawn close 
Over the mummy-cases 



172 MAKIAMNE 



Her. No, no, friend ! 

It might be said I will'd it, I being here. 

Then, what is Alexandra ? Not in her 

My peril lietb, though by her made more nigh. 

Take from her hands her instrument, the boy. 

\Fauscs. 

That suiFocation must be easy death, 

'Tis very warm to-night, has been all day. 

My train is dusty and will seek to bathe. 

How are the ponds about here ? very deep ? 
Sab. Enough to swim in. 

Her. So enough to drown. 

Be very careful therefore, if the boy 

Should take to the water, lest he meet mishap. 

I might be censur'd. 

Sab. Means my lord to go ? 
Her. 'Tis likely I may stroll there, for the sport, 

To see it merely, and the boy with me. 

Should he go in, thou wilt have care, my friend, 

Both for his mother's sake and for my own. 

He hath rul'd as high-priest only for a year. 

Was not his foresire of the name a king 

For the same time ? That hath an ugly look. 

Give heed, then, wilt thou, Sabbion ? 

Sal). Be thou sure 

I shall have heed, O Kiug, to thy desire. 
Her. "What shall I do for thee ? Go now to her, 

To the boy's mother. I would take them both 

Even in the act. So manage to that end. 



ACT I. sc. 1. 173 

Sah. My lord, on his part, will not fail to cliide 
And rate me in their presence ? 

Eer. 'Tis well thought, 
I must make much of thee. I had in view, 
To give now as an earnest of good will, 
For thy mere present ease, till I could place 
Thy merits in fit station,— for thou art wise,— 
Ten talents, Sabbion, See, on my return, 
Thou gettest twenty. 

Sab. O my lord the King, 
Thou art too bountiful.^^ 

Her: Not to prov'd desert. 
That Shalt thou find. I would my means were more : 
But the old sepulchre gives not again 
Its treasures to the explorer, and the greed 
Of my wife's foresire left me nought to glean." 
Sal. My lord's soul is too large for this cramp'd realm. 
He should have Syria, and the Egyptian crook 
Might well yield to a straighter sceptre." 

Re7\ Hush; 
Thou stepp'st on dangerous ground. All yet may be. 
Nor is Arabia far. Where Herod wins, 
'Tis known he has memory both for friend and foe. 

[Exit Sallion, Herod looUng after Mm, 
as the Scene cTianges. 



174 MABIAMNE 



Scene II. 

A vaulted chamber of the hasement^ 

lighted dimly hy a hanging lamp. Above on the rights 

a low and narrow arched door. Near the door., 

resting on low trestles, between two columns, 

what appear to be two burial-eases, covered with 

a sort 0/ pall. 

Alexandra, Aeistoboulos. 

Aris. Abandon it at once, O mother. The risk 

Is certain, and tlie gain 

Ala. More than thou think'st. 
Tlie queen hates Herod. — 

Aris. But she loves not me. 

Ala. But little haply. Yet with that sweet face 

And lordly carriage thou mightst move her heart 
More than Antouius. 

Aris. That would profit much, 
"When 'tis through him alone we hope for good, 
Through Cleopatra's aidance! To my mind, — 
And so my grandsire thinks, — we are but tools 
In the Egyptian's hand, to carve the work 
Shall satisfy ambition or her greed. 
Set me against the King, we both go down, — 
At least she hopes so. I would rather stay. 



ACT I. sc. 2. 175 

Content witli my liigli office. 

Ala. For how long? 
Thou art too like thy graadsh-e. His soft soul 
Cost him a kingdom. It may cost him more ; 
For neither he nor thou art truly safe 
"While Herod Hush ! 'Tis Sabbion who comes. 

Enter, hy tlie door., 
Sabbion. 

"Where is the King ? I would I knew the wretch 
That let him in my secret ! 

Sah. It is like 
He knows it not. Convenience or caprice 
Has hasten'd his arrival by a day. 
He rests him now from travel. Be ye prompt 
To profit by the interval. While move 
Thou and the High-priest, I shall pretext find 
After his waking Here is ^sop now. 

Enter, hy the door, 

-^SOP. 

"Will it not please thee and the prince thy son 
To take your places? [his hand on the pall. 

Ala. 'Tis a frightful way 
To journey. 

Aris. And appears like mocking God. 
Ala. The bearers are prepar'd ? 

yEs. They wait without. 
Ala. And know not what their service ? 



176 MAEIAMKE 

^s. Nothing more 
Than I was bid to tell them. 

Ala. And of risk 
Of stifling in the coffins there is none ? 
Sah. [lifting the pall. 

See for thyself : on every side is vent. 
Not Moses in his water-box was safer. 
Ala. {going to the coffins. 

Then, in the name of Moses' God Thou first, 

My son. 
Aris. No, mother let me aid thee. 

^s. [m alarm and 
looTcing at the entrance. 

Hist ! 
"We are betray'd. 

Enter Herod 
slowly past jEsop^ who disappears through the door. 

Her. No haply, but surpris'd ; 
What hast thou there, hostess, 'neath that pall ? 

[Lifts it. 
These are well-padded coffins, and ye both 
Are cloth'd as if for travel. Surely not 
In such a vehicle my spouse's dam. 
And her high-priestly brother meant to ride — 
To Misre, was it ? now too I am come, 
Expecting to be feasted? And this man, 
"Who is of your friends, hath he advis'd this step ? 
And with wluit purpose? 



ACT I. SC. 2. 177 

A la. O, forgive us all ! 

Her. There is then something to forgive ? I came 
By accident, having wander'd out alone, 
And found eight slaves in the dark group'd round a bier 
Outside the door, and, curious to behold 
"Who might be dead, pass'd in, to find the living. 
What has been done ? What would ye do by this? 
If ye would have me really to forgive, 
Tell what should make it needful. No. \_To Ala. 

Speak thou, 
Aristoboulos. Thou hast at the least 
The ingenuousness of youth, and art a man. 

Aris. Shall I speak, mother? 

Ala. If thou wilt, O son, 
And the King orders. 

Aris. It hath irk'd her much, 
And hurt our pride, O Herod, that she lives 
Pi'ison'd, as 't were, by thee, and under watch 
Of all her movements. Thus my mother wrote 
Plaining to Cleopatra, who advis'd 
Escape to Egypt. Hence this means uncouth 
To carry us to the seaside, v/here a troop 
Of the queen's guard await us. 

Her. And shall wait 
Till they be weary. What ! wast thou so dull 
O' the sudden, O Alexandra, not to solve 
What is no sphinx's riddle, though made up 
Where sleeps Diospolis ? The Memphian snake 
Would wind her folds around thy son and me, 



178 MARIAMNE 



Hating us both, who stop her from her prey, 
Which is Judea. — 

Ayis. So my grandsire says. 

ITer. So all may see. Who put thee up to this, 
Who art not blind, O woman ? Was it he, 
Thy friend here present, hid the serpent's slime? 

Ala. No, he is innocent, save to warn us now 
That thou wast come. 

ffe?'. 'Tis well. I had sent him else 
To carry his tongue to Memnon in his hand. 
But thou ! art thou bent upon thy ruin, woman ? 
Think'st thou beneath the shadow of Eome's power 
To warmthis tender sapling to a tree ? 
That, where my full grown stock takes up the soil ? 
Here cannot reign two kings, and when they strive 
The weaker must go under. Measure both ; 
Then looking on yon coffins, think of one 
That yet may be, a grander case indeed 
For the unsightly jewel of dead life, 
And carried with more pomp of public state, 
But not less narrow. 

Ala. my lord the King, 
Judge me not harshly, for myself, or son, 
For whom I crave not civil rank, content 
With the high place, the highest next thy own, 
Wherein thou didst instate him. Doth my lord 
Forget that Mariamne is my child, 
Best-lov'd of all his wives, the mother too 
Of two fair sons by thee ? Have I less dear 



ACT. I. sc. 2. 179 

Eer interest and tLeirs, thau of my sou, 

Evcu were Le made to rule, which he is not? 

Not his the metal whereof kings are cast. 

Gentle, inactive, easily made to bend 

To his atfections and to others' will, 
• As did and doth my sire, he would, like him, 

Exchange the palace for the high-priest's house 

Were they both his to choose. 

Her. That facile mood 

Itself is dangerous. Let yon cotfers speak. 
Ala. My lord, thou hast heard him. What he said is true. 

It irks me, and irk'd him, that I should be 

Kept under such restraint. But more than this, 

I doubted, even because I was restrain'd. 

The King's good- will to me, and doubt grew dread, 

And Be not angry ! 

Her. Seem I in such mood ? 
Ala. My lord is gracious. At his feet this night 

His slave shall bask her in his smiles, nor miss 

The absent sun-light. 

Her. Why not at my side ? 

Art thou not Alexandra ? Burn those toys : 

Unless thou 'Idst rather send them as they are 

To Cleopatra. 'T were a goodly jest 

To strangle and pack ^sop up in one. 

And the Egyptian go-between in the other. 

Shorn of his head and hands, to thank the queen 

Silently for her lesson. 

A la. O no, no ; 



180 MAEIAMNE 



Let the King's mercy be not less than full. 
Her. TTell, I am in a liappy mood to-night, 

And all men shall be glad. But burn that trash, 
And in its ashes let all memory sink 
Of its meant use. 

Ala. So shall the King be bless'd. 
Let now his servant go and bid be made 
Rejoicing for his coming; though more soon 
Than looked for, something in the way of feast 
May yet be had. 

Her. Do so, our mother. 

Ala. Come, 
My son. \to Aris. 

Her. No, let my brother stay : and thou, [to Sab. 
His friend, shalt help him keep me merry. [Exit Ala. 

So. 
But hardly here. This is a sorry place, 
And yon heap makes me shudder. Let us out 
To the free air, my brother. The night is warm : 
My train have gone to the fishponds to disport. 
Shall we stroll thither ? 

Aris. As the King shall please. 
Her. Nay, call me Herod, or brother. Thou shalt see 
That I am truly such, nor shall thy mother 
Have cause again to weary of restraint. 
And think a mummy has more spacious room. 
Sal). Had I not better go before, my lord. 

And warn thy friends the King with the High-priest 
"Will see them swim? 



ACT. I. SC. 3. 181 

Jler. Do so, if thou think'st best. 
We shall come after slowly. [Exit Sab. 

Yet, methinks, 
It is, ray brother, an idle point of state : 
We should not scare them much, — not in the dark ; 
And should we join them, why, strip off our clothes, 
And what are we but simple naked men ? 

\_Exit leaning on Aris\ shoulder. 



Scene III. 

In tJie garden, near the ponds. 

The imperfect darhiess immediately succeeding twilight^ 

Sabbion and two of Herod's train. 

Sab. Perhaps I may share your pastime : and 'tis sure, 
Should the High-priest so honor you. It is like — 
'Tis very like — he will. Then have ye care 
To keep him in your eyes, — to be so near, 
That ye not only may increase his sport. 
By all the wanton tricks his jocund age 
Delights in at such times, such as — to dip 
His neck of the sudden, or with hollow'd palm 
Blind him* with showers of spray, or, diving down, 
To drag him under, as if 't were some strong fish 



182 MARIAMNE 



• Had seiz'd him by the foot ; in short, by all 
That the high sanctity of his state, subdu'd 
By his gay youth whicli cannot be severe, 
May render seemly ; not alone for this, 
To make him joyance, but that ye may help 
In case of danger ; for, too long below. 
His breathing might be stifled, or sharj) cramps 
Fetter his motions. Yet — between us sole — 
I think I may trust ye — I am sore deceiv'd. 
If greatly it would grieve our lord the King 
The youth were fairly drown'd. It would, ye wot, 
Dam up one source of trouble, that not his throne 
Alone unsteadies, but makes Judah mourn. 
I say this, suading not to use such means 
Either for King or country, but assur'd, 
Of my own insiglit mark ye, that the King, 
However he might vaunt a loud lament, 
Would in his heart have solace, and own ye both 
His timely benefactors. By your looks, 
I see ye well conceive me. Ye shall have 
For your great service recompense ; say, now, 
For each one talent, with the hope of more. 
And so I release you. [Exeunt the two. 

Thus my soul is wash'd 
Of actual murder. I may even play 
The part behooves me and make shout for help. — 
That is their step : I see them dimly now 
Dark'ning the pebbled walk. How fondly seems 
The King to lean his left hand on the shoulder 



ACT I. sc. 3. 183 

Of the boy priest, in his black heart the while 

The image haply of the burial- case 

Defrauded of its load, ami pondering o'er 

The pangs of stifling. That may bring to mind 

Those worse his father suffer'd, and the help 

Men say I render'd, since by my hands came 

The bribe for the poison-cup. I must beware. 

We may stroke the lion when tam'd, but near his mane 

The jaws gape ready. 

Enter Herod and Apjstoboulos. 

Her. Art thou here alone ? 
Waiting us doubtless. We are griev'd, good friend, 
Or the High-priest is, thou hast stay'd thy sport 
Because of either. Be the swimmers in ? 

Sab. All, and the water tempting-cool. 

Her. So seeming 
Because of the warmer air without. In fact. 
The night tempts bathing. 

Sah. Does my lord go in ? 

Her. I know not yet. That shall not keep thee back, 
Aristoboulos. Thou, I know, who swimm'st 
So bravely, long'st to lave thy breast, as doth 
The eaglet dust-clogg'd, and with joy to float 
As the proud swan to which 't is natural. Go, 
Fair brother, and thy mother's friend and thine 
Will go with thee, though needing not such care. 
I shall here wander briefly, where the dark 



184 MARIAMNE 



And quiet favor musing. Thank thy fate 

That spares thee, O brother, thoughts that wait on mine. 

[Exeunt Arts, and Sab. 
Go join thy sire, — though, since he lacks the head, 
(As I would did his widow,) thou must do all 
The talk and thought for both. Brief he thy pangs. 
Thy coffin this time will not need a vent, 
And thy pall shall be brighter. So, good night. 
Between thy life and mine, — for, with the wiles 
Of that she-fox thy dam, mine were not safe, 
Not truly safe a moment, — can I pause ? 
Oi" should I pause between thy good and mine? 
For so 't is better, not for me alone. 
But for Judea. Wo unlo the land 
That has a child Jor king : but tenfold wo, 
"When the slim hand that holds the distaff" guides 
The uncertain sceptre. But to me, O Lord, 
Forgive this needful crime, and I will build 
Thy ruin'd temple greater than before, 
That pagans shall stand reverent, and the world 
Own Thou art only Thou the One True God.^^ 

The Drop falls. 



ACT u. sc. 1. 185 



Act the Second 

Scene I. A hall in the King''s house at Jerusalem. 
MIeiamne. Cleopatea. Alexandra. 

Cle. Herod "will not return. Antoniiis' wrath 
Is hot against him for that monstrous crime 
So useless, unprovok'd. 

Mar. There is no proof 
The crime was his, nor that there was a crime. 

Ala. O no, no crime ; his head was only held, 
In sport, by two strong men, by Herod's men, 

So long beneath the water, that, when 

Mar. Hush! 
"Wouldst thou call up the horror ? Sport or crime, 
They underwent a like fate, on the spot, 
By Herod's order. 

Ala. Ay, no bubbling cry 
Rose from the water to confound with fear 
Of public doubt the employer, and the wage 
Earn'd by the workmen was a something sav'd. 

Mar. Mother ! Remember I am Herod's spouse, 
If my lost brother's sister. 'T is not talk, 
This, for our royal guest. 



186 MARIAMNE 



Cle. Nay, 't is most fit. 
Was not my counsel mother of this wo ? 
At least the untowai'd midwife that brought on 
Its birth before the time ? for, be thou sure 
O sorrowing Mariamne, soon or late, 
By some foul agent, Herod's living dread 
Had found extinction. 

Alar. Make me not believe — 
Nay, I will not believe, sucb horrible guilt. 
Did he not clamor loudly, after mourn 
With a hush'd sorrow, and extol, by pomp 
Of royal obsequy, the foremost rank 
And merit of the gentle dead ? 

A la. What less 
Could his own self-love prompt, what else suggest 
Hypocrisy, whose mood is alway one 
Whate'er its object ? Blatant grief or joy 
Is easiest of all imitative play, 
Except the drunkard's stagger, idiot smile 
And stammering babble. 

Mar. But my brother stood 
Not in my husband's way. It steads him not. 
Cle. silly child, to whom affairs of state 
Are mystery dark as is the birth of Time, 
Or the great egg from whose divided shell 
Came out the earth and waters. Know thou then, 
Monarchs whose rights are doubtful, or whose thrones 
Are built by conquest on a subject soil, 
Dread popular uprising. Night and day, 



ACT II. sc. 1. 187 

It weighs, a nightmare, or it hangs, a sword, 
Over their breast or head ; and by their fears 
They are made be tyrants, or confirm'd as such. 
In the most feeble sucker of the tree 
They have uprooted, and its place have fill'd 
"With their own stock, they see a rival growth, 
And delve for its destruction. In the hive, 
The queen, the moment she has found her wings, 
Seeks eagerly out the cells where lodge, she knows. 
Her unfiedg^d rivals, waiting their full growth, 
And runs her sting through all. In men the deed 
We abjure as murderous ; and I do the same, 
Bred to the cant, nor willing to seem sti-ange ; 
But not the less I tell thee, pretty love, 
The act is natural. 

Mar. Wouldst thou lift the bee 
To the same height with man? 

Cle. Not in the size 
Of body or of brain. But in her acts 
She shows not less of reason for her sphere, 
And in her impulses is much the same. 

Mar. Talk not thus, Cleopatra : man has God 

To look to : and His laws 

Cle. Where found? On stone? 
Think'st thou the gods be carvers ? 

Mar. If thou wilt. 
On the heart's tablets; in the conscience, say. 

Cle. That is, in reason, which self-love instructs, 
And policy, which is the long-watch'd fruit 



188 MAEIAMKE 



CuU'd on the growth of state occasions, sprung 
By artificial culture from the seeds- 
Of that self-love. And hence such laws hut sway 
Whenever and wherever they subserve 
Or help maintain the interests of rule, 
But found in conflict are soon set aside. 
Mar. Alas, if so it is! "Why then condemn 
King Herod, and incite against his act. 
If 't was his act, thy husband? Is it then 
Self-interest thou consultest ? 

Cle. O the gods ! 
Canst thou not see a difference, when I sit 
In judgment as it were, and when I place 
My conscience in another's breast and find 
His secret motives ? She is but a child, 

Alexandra, still, though mother now 

Of two upgrowing sons. Ere they are men. 
She will have learn'd to look with steadier eyes 
On tragedies of state, nor wet their lids 
Even at a brother's drowning. 

Mar. O my heart ! 
Be this the fruit age ripens ? Happier he, 
The innocent boy, than to have gather'd such 
From the false tree of knowledge. May I lie 
"Where he lieth ere I taste it, as at times 

1 have wish'd I lay, perhaps at peace forever 
As thought our sires." 

Cle. And thyself may'st prove 
O'er soon. The lion has lapp'd kindred blood, 



ACT II. sc. 2. 189 

Nor will his flesh'd fangs stop at thee. That look 

Of scorn hecomes thee, but it shows thou lack'st 

A knowledge of tlie heart. The habit's force 

Is life of all our conduct, right or wrong. 

One step leads to another, and the thirst 

And hunger after sin its feeding follows 

As duly as the ••inpetite for food 

Or drowsiness, when comes the hour again 

At which, before, we sluniber'd and we ate. 

Thou art beautiful, and Herod loves thee well: 

But ITerod is a soldier, and as king 

Tyrannical and bloody ; in his mood 

A hurricane, which rises ere thou seest 

The darkening of the sun, and in its sweep 

Carries all things before it, sticks and straws 

And the small sand, as well as sturdy trees. 

If thou fear'st not its rising, why so sad ? 

Thou art not happy, nor thy mother safe. 

Hath he not set his uncle o'er you both ? 

Doth not his sister hate you? 

Mar. Who told that ? 
Cle. Thy mother. 

Mar. She doth wrong, both to herself 

And me, 

Cle. No, she doth right. She knows 

I am her true friend, and thus friend to thee. 

If futile was my counsel, its result 

Fatal perhaps, must it be alway so? 
Ala. No, thou art wiser than us both. On thee 



190 MARIAMNE 



Weighs not the burden of her brother's death, 
And to tliee only stretch our hands for aid 
And ultimate rescue. Stop me not, my child ; 
Not yet Antonius' spouse knows all our grief. 
The clouds are gathering o'er us. Let us build 
An ark on Ararat, ere down the rain 
Descend in torrents and the surging flood 
"Whelm thee and me, and with us both thy sons. 
Cle. What wouldst thou ? 

Ala. Aided by Salome's arts, 
Herod's first-born steps nearer day by day 
To the throne's heritage ; and Herod's mind, 
Suspicious at all times, warps by the heat 
Of his malignant influence more and more. 
Thus, with her beauty and her serpent's-guile, 
Neither enfeebled, Doris is come back 
To share her son's advantage, to estrange 

Herod from Mariarane 

Mar. Let her, may that be. 
Who but a fool would pine the loss of love 
That was so prompt to change ? But Herod's heart 
Is mine, and will be ; and dark Doris' place 
Is with his other wives," mere tilings of state, 
Or sensual minions of a transient whim, 
Where is no real passion. 

Gle. Be not sure. 
All love is sensual, more or less ; and hearts 
Are won by blandishments and wiles that take 
Man's self-love captive, oftener than by charm _ 



ACT II. SC. 1. 191 

Of actual beauty or the soul's best grace, 

Which sometimes even repulse, where pride like thine 

Seems to demand submission as tlieir right, 

Not to be won by conquest and long pain. 

I have seen and know this Doris. Have a care: 

She was his first love; and the heart returns, 

Or senses wilt thou, willingly to the call 

Of former pleasure. — "What wouldst thou have said, 

O Alexandra? 

Ala. Little not forestall'd 
By thy perceptive wisdom. Doris' son, 
Shrewd and ambitious, by Salome's aid 
(Who serves him not of love) strows far and wide 
The seeds of calumny, that the fruit, brought back 
By foreign hands, may poison Herod's mind 
With doubts, not only of my daughter's sons 
And me, but of their mother's self. — 

Mar. Not so. 
Doubts cannot live between the King and me 
Who give them nought to feed on. 

Gle. Air will do. 
The serpent jealousy will famish not, 
Depriv'd of solid food. If thou art strong 
In Herod's heart, why is thy clieek pale now ? 
Thou doubt'st, thyself. And thou hast cause. Behold, 
He hath confin'd thy mother, slain her son, 
Calls back the rival who because of thee 
Was exil'd from the Court, and sets her son 
Above thy nobler children. Is that love ? 



192 MARIAMNE 



I would not share the passion of my spouse 
"With other women. Nay, I tell thee this : 
Did Marcus use me as tliy lord doth thee, 
I 'd poison him to-morrow — or myself. 
Mar. No. 

Cle, Would I not ? Mark thou this largest ring. 
'Tis not for show, but need. I 'II give it thee. 
This pin, thus press'd, observe, starts up the stone. 
Note the white dust beneath. It is so small 
Thou canst conceal it 'neath thy finger-nail. 
Or, lift the ring to thy mouth : 't is better so, 
The gem upspruug. The effect is found at once. 
Mar. What? 

Cle. Death, be sure. 

Mar. I'll none of it. 

Cle. Nay, take, 
Wear it for an emergence that may come. 
But thou 'It do better than upon thyself 
To use my jewel. 

Mar. Crush it 'neath thy heel. 
Or keep it for thy use. IIow have I sinn'd 
To appear to thee a murderess ? 

Cle. Said I well. 
She is yet a child ? 

Ala. Nay, mind her not, O Queen. 
Give me the ring. I'll wear it for thy sake, 
And — not mistake thy meaning, {significantly ^ as 
she puts on the ring. 



ACT. n. sc. 1. 193 

Enter Mariamnc''^ sons, 

Alexandek and Aristoboulos, 

Ah, my boys. 
Come ye to bid farewell to our royal guest? 
Akx. No, grandmotlier : the Queen will now go home 

Under my father's escort. He is near. 
Mar. Near! near! How near? 

Alex. "Within a half- hour's ride, 
"We are going now to meet him. 

Mar. [eriibracing one after 
the other. 
O my sons ! 
I knew the Heaven was just. 

Ala. "Whence had ye this? 
"VVhy wrote he not? 

Cle. He would take you by surprise. 
Mar. He would not stop to write. I knew he'd come ! 

He hath proven his innocence, [again caressing the youths. 

Cle. Hath found at least 
A way to appease my Roman. But these boys, 
How proud should be their sire. They are almost men. 
Thou, Alexander, [caressing with her hand. 

art well nigh as tall 
As thy half-brother, but art not so false, 
I hope, as he. 

Alex. I am not false at all. 
"We are Mariamne's children, who has train'd 
Both of us to be true, — as fits, she saith, 



194 MARIAMNE 



The sons of kings and men of valiant race. 

Cle. All which is noble, but, my prince, unwise. 
(Suffer me, Mariamne.) When with men 
Ye have to deal who open not their thoughts, 
While ye bare yours, it is as if ye fought 
With naked breast against a foe well-arm'd. 
Learn to dissemble. 'Tis the art of kings. 
Antipater is wise, is brave, is false. 
Be ye as brave and wise as he, yet true, 
Ye must go down before him, for ye tell 
Your purpose and he meets it, while his own, 
Knowing it not, ye cannot override. 

Aristo. Is that thy counsel ? 

Cle. No, 't was given of old. 
Or something like it, in your Jacob's time, 
Who overreach'd his brother, and by fraud 
Forestall'd his father's blessing. 

Aristo. By a lie, 
By a mean juggle. I would rather be 
As Esau, who I have always felt was wrong'd 
And lov'd as honest, than the coward knave 
Who cheated while he fear'd him. 

Cle. Yet he won 
His father's blessing, and your race of Jews 
Are proud to be his children. 

Aristo. No, not all. 
I am not, nor is Alexander here. 
Thoupli not so liot as I, his soul like mine 
Scorns subterfuge and loatlies deception's craft, 



ACT. II. sc. 1. 195 

As fit for women ooly. 

Mar. Fit for some. 
All are not like Eebekah. 

Aristo. No, not thou. 
'Twas at thy feet we learn'd to weep with Esau, 
Grand and forgiving, generous and brave, 
Whose hands were shaggy, but whose heart was soft 
As is a child's, and flush with hate of him 
Who at their birth laid hold upon his heel, 
And when he grew, supplanted him. 

Cle. As ye 
Must do your Esau. Ye are nobler born. 
Alex. By the mother only, and it is, with us. 
Our elder who is Jacob. Let him be. 
Our father came of Edom ; and the blood 
Of him who stood on the other side o' the ford 
Of Jabbok, and his cringing womb-mate's guile 
Might have aveng'd, but did not, and went back 
Lord of his wrath to Seir, in soul a king, 
Seems quite as ruddy to us both as his 
"Who wrestled with the angel in a dream, 
And by his shrunk thigh cost us waste of meat 
Down to this day.^^ Now take we leave, O Queen ; 
Our father must not miss us. \_Exit with Ai'iato. 

Cle. King-like both, 
And full of mettle. 

Ala. By their mother spoil'd, 
Who will forget the Maccabees. 

Mar. Not I ; 



196 Mariamne 



Nor that my lord, whose Idumeau blood 

la valiant as Matthias', or his sons', 

Is master, of his will, and may exalt, 

To follow him, who is fit. Let me too leave, 

O Cleopatra : I must be at hand 

To welcome him. [Exit. 

Cle. Did I not truly say, 
She is yet a child ? But if her sons are hers, 
They are thy grandsons, and their kingly rights 
Shall not be peril'd. Where is Doris now ? 
Something may there be done, and with her son, 
To check his false aspiring and give rest 
To that good heart. 

Ala. Ah, Heaven knows my heart, 
Like thine, O Cleopatra, pants for peace, 
And the good only, by all righteous means, 
Of all men, even my foes. Of course, the wrath 
Of the Triumvir will appal them both. 

Cle. I shall well use its terrors, be thou sui'e. 

Ala. I call the eunuch now to show the way. 

[As she claps her hands, Scene changes 



ACT II. sc. 2. 197 

Scene II. 

A chamher in Doris' Apartment. 

Antipater. Doris. 

Anti]). Keep me not longer, mother ; my sire may come 
Sooner than look'd for, and my brothers get 
The advance of me. 

Do. Fear not for that. Tliou art set 
Too deep in the King's favor. One word more : 
Pay court to Cleopatra. Thou art large, 
Well-knit and handsome, of that kind of men 
Which queens like her aftect. Thou mayst do much, 
As she can all with Antonius, on whose will 
Was thy sire's sceptre grafted. 

Antip. In my hand 
'T would prove a barren reed, even should I grasp it, 
Did I the Koraan cross by even a look 
He might con falsely. Cleopatra's love 
Would bring me ruin. 

Do. Thou dost misconceive. 
I had no thought of love. That were indeed 
To attempt to climb up backward. Foolish boy, 
Or vain, thou couldst not win that woman's heart, 
Even didst thou love her. But thou mayst assail 



198 MAKIAMNE 



The weak walls of her vanity. Make her think 

She hath woa thee, and thou winn'st the grace that springs 

From her triumphant self-love. Thou art hold, 

Fair-spoken ; and What now ? Why, she is here I 

[low. 

Enter Cleopatra. 

Do. This honor, Queen of Egypt 

Cle. Nay, I come 
To do thee service simply, or thy son. 
Let me adjure him not to trust too far 
The specious mood of Mariamne's sons. 
All is not false that 's hidden, nor are truth 
And honor alway servants of the hold, 
Out-spoken and hot-blooded. Be forewarn'd. 
Under the outward habit of a mien 
Lofty and fiery, sometimes work low craft. 
Falsehood and treachery. Vain of their high blood; 
And made to think that through their motlier's side 
Their right is better to the throne than thine 
Who art the first-born, they would play tow'rd thee 
The part of p,ncicnt Jacol\ Be to them 
Not thou as simple Esau, but their craft 
Meet with superior cunning. Wilt thou so ? 

Anti}'). I will do all thou 'dst have me do, O Queen, 
Who art renown'd not less for subtle lore 
Than beauty, — in both peerless. 

Cle. Sayst thou so ? 
Thou hast tak'n to fiattcry early. I knew not 



ACT II. sc. 2. 199 

Thovi wast so well-grown. Let me look at thee. 

lu sooth, thou art not amiss. I must have care 

How we consort. One day, thoa wilt become 

The royal fillet well. But thou art wrong: 

I am not subtle, Antipater, but, thou seest, 

Am one of the open- speaking, of that kind 

"Who are true as well as open, and, where pleas'd, 

Love to commend. We shall be friends. Hark there ! 

The King is come. Thou shalt go to him. But first, 

Eeturn me to the hall, and let him know 

I wait him there. [Sheptits her hand into his, in a 

seductive way, and he leads her out, 

exchanging, as Tie does so, a glance 

with Doris. 
Do. Ah serpent ! But thy guile 
Secures, not loses Eden, He shall eat 
Of the fruit thou profferest, and grow wise : too wise 
To be thy servant, as thou mean'st. His heel 
Will bruise, I trust, thy head, and thou thy folds 
And painted slough drag helpless in the dust. 

iT'urns to dejiart, as Scene cha?iges. 



200 



MAKIAMNE 



Scene III. 

As in Scene I. of the Act, ^ 

Enter 

Cleopatra, conducted hy Antipatek, 

wTio^ about to leave^ hisses the hand 

he still Jiolds. 

Cle. There : go. I shall make something of thee yet. 

[Exit Antip. 
But not what thou supposest. Why, poor child, 
Autonius would devour thee at a gulp ! 
But thou wilt prop my lever, help distract 
And weaken Herod, and his sceptre break, 
To join again in my hand, and be one 
"With that of Egypt, as 't is meet it should. 
And as, belike, it was in the hoar old time. 

And then, Arabia added 

Let me think. 
Herod is amorous. To ensnare his heart 
Would blind liira to my aim. 'T were something too, 
To estrange him from his last wife Flaunting growth 
Of a plant of yesterday, with airs of state 
That were extravagant in the loftiest queen 
Of the primeval Pharaohs, she makes vaunt 



ACT 11. SO. 3. 201 

Of truth and righteousness, and looks down on me 

As if I were of coarser clay. Perhaps 

I am rated too less beautiful ! We shall see. 

But, to secure all Syria, or at least 

This part thereof, or make Arabia mine, 

If one or both, I must the king of each 

Set on the other ; and whether Herod win, 

Or Malichus, is all one : in either case 

The conquer'd realm is mine, in part, or all. 

If both should fall exhausted, better still. 

Or if, in Herod's absence, this great boy. 

Who seeks to pay me court, were made to play 

The Absalom to his sire But David comes. 

A stately presence, and a martial build : 

JEnter, from ahove, Herod, 

attended iy certain of his suite, icho remain 

at the entrance while he comes down. 

So, fitter prize, and easier to be won. 

Her. Hail ; and I trust thou 'rt well, I lose no time 
To render homage to the illustrious queen. 
Who is also queen of beauty and the spouse 
Of my great lord Antonius. For this honor 
Vouchsaf 'd Judea thanks, and be thou welcome. 

Cle. Nay, rather say farewell. I have staid more long 
Than I had meant, to see thee and give joy 
Of thy release, which I was sure must come 
From that unrighteous charge. 

Her. I had suppos'd 



202 MARIA.MNE 



Egypt believ'd my guilt, and that her voice 
"Was constant foi- my censure. 

Cle. I ? My voice 
'T is like help'd thy acquittal. Am I less 
A friend of right, that I am held a friend 
Of Mariamne's mother ? Had the act 
Been even a murder, though to be deplor'd, 
Yet there are sometimes pressing needs of state 
To justify men's slaughter ; and, a queen, 
And doing what I have been oblig'd to do, 
I could not have condemu'd it. Men like thee 
Are born for absolute rule, and the high gods 
Prosper in them what dar'd by meaner bands 
They punish as misdeeds. Before I go, 
Can I not serve thee with my lord ? Thy arm 
Is not demanded in the Roman war; 
But thou canst stretch it o'er Arabia. There 
Thy valor and wise conduct will have scope 
And victory is certain. In the spoil 
Look thou I have my share. Dost thou not want 
To farm of me, besides the vale of palms, 
Hippos and Gad'ara and the seaside towns 
That are my portion ? ^' 

Her. Gladly should I hire. 
"What are they worth ? 

Cle. Say thou. 

RcT. Together, then, 
Seven score and ten gold talents by the year. 
Cle. Fy, that is little. Add a score and five. 



ACT n. sc. 3. 203 

Eer. Well, be it so. I '11 take them at that rate. 

Cle. But stay, I was hasty ; thou must bid more high. 

Two hundred talents say, and they are thine. 

Come, thou art liberal always. 

Her. To my cost ; 

Which keeps me straiten'd. But to please the queen, 

Whom I would gladly serve, I'll take the towns 

To farm at her own value and be prompt 

In payment as before. 

Cle. And punish thou 

The Arab king, who is not. Wilt thou so? 
Eer. To my best faculty. Though, 't would please me more 

Antonius would permit me swell his strength 

In his expected conflict. 

Cle. That must come 

Where thou couldst yield small service. When its shock 

Is over, and the conqueror, my lord, 

As he must conquer, no more halves the world, 

Herod shall be remember'd, and the deeds 

He prays to do be set down as if done. — 

Eemains"now that we part. [Extends her hand. 
Eer. No, not to-day. 

I would escort thee, as befits thyself, 

And as, for thy sake and my lord's thy spouse, 

Befitteth me. To-day I am fatig 'd, 

And, hasting as my duty bade, to thee. 

Have pass'd even Mariamue at the gate 

Almost without a word. And then, fair queen, 

I would not have thee leave us save with gift* 



204 



MAKIAMNE 



Worthy of both, and worthy of my debt 

To thy lord's beuefactious. Let it be 

To-morrow, O Cleopatra, or the day 

Succeeding that. 

Cle. To-morrow be it then. 

We who are wedded own but half our will ; 

The other is our partner's. Thus my soul 

Pants for its absent half, as doth thy own. 

How happy must she be who shares thy soul 

To be so lov'd, of such a man as thou! 

Minds are not always lodg'd in forms to match; 

But thou art large as Marcus, and thy brows, 

Like Ammon's, bear in them the word of fat© 

To shivering mortals. Thou art all a man. 

How she must love thee ! Dost thou think she does? 
Her. I hope so, and am vain to think it so. 
Cle. No, no, not vain, I am sure, were I as she, 

I should so love thee ! Art thou very sure ? 

Well, well. But art thou sure ? She seems so cold, 

And is so haughty. 

Eer. She is not to me. 

I deem she loves me well. 

Cle. Well, she may well. 

And thou, dost thou love her in turn ? ^puts her hand 
over his.'] In truth ? 

In very trutli ? 

Ecr. In truth, I think I do. 
Cle. Now, could I envy her. Should Antonius die 



ACT m. sc. 1. 205 

Let us go in. I have kept thee here too long 
From love and Mariamne. Happy she I 

Exeunt, as 
the Drop falls. 



Act the Third 

Scene I. A large room of Herod's jjrlvate ai^artment. 

Herod. Salome. 

Salo. How long wilt thou endure ? 

Her. Till I have proof. 

Salo. Thou hast a mountain of it. Is it like, 
The old Ilyrcanus, now past eighty years, 
Weak too and gentle, easily led by those 
Who aflfect to serve him, or who feed his ears 

Her. He has lost them. 

Salo. Happily. That unfits his brow 
For the tiara, not the purple bend -° 
(Mark that), nor takes away the power to hear 
Laud of the past sung out of hate to thee. 
Would he, I say, being such, so tame, so old, 
Move but for Alexandra ? 



206 MAKIAMNE 



Iler. And I ask 
"Where swells thy mountain. Is 't too vast to see? 
While life is left to her, that woman's brain 
"Will procreate mischief. This to think, to know, 
Is not to see the birth. 

Solo. "Wouldst thou wait that? 
To crush the mother ere the brood come out 
Is safer and completer. 

Her. More complete, 
But safer not. Forget 'st thou who she is? 
SaXo. His daughter, and the mother of that youth 
Whose death made Herod's profit, as would his; 
Mother of Herod's wife, whose haughty soul 
She warps to her own black humor. 

Her. Art thou mad? 

Or am I made of patience, that thou dar'st 

Salo. Well, thou wilt learn one day. The wilful blind 

Rer. Silence, Salome. And in time ; here comes 
My faitJiful agent. 

Enter., on the right., Sabbion. 

Salo. Faithful? 

Her. Hush ! nor think 
Thou only hast perception. {Exit Salo. at the left., 

as Sal), advances. 
Welcome back, 
O Sabbion, friend ! Thou comest on my sight 
As morn to the tired watcher. And the dawn 



ACT III. SC. 1. 207 

Glows witli the fore-liglit of a sunny day. 
So speak thy beaming features. Is 't not so ? 
iSah. That, as my lord shall find it. 

Re?'. We\], well ; speak. 
The letter which thou shew'dst me, from the hand 
Of old Hyrcanus, given to thy trust 
By Alexandra, who, Salome thinks, 

"Was its true author 

Sat. Doubt it not, my lord. 
'Tis the old mummy project schem'd again, 
With change of route and transport. 

Her. And the goal 
May prove the same, without the symbol coffin. 
Thou mightst have been an augur, bred in Rome, 
And shalt be here a prophet. Well, the letter ? 
Sah. I gave the missive to the Arabian prince, 
AVho read it satisfy'd, and sends this back. 
Her. This will not need resealing like the first. 
[Opens it and reads to Mmself. 
It shall to the Sanhedrim, who are meeting now, 
Call'd for this juncture. Thou too must be there, 
To bear me witness. 

Sah. May I ask the King, 
What says the rescript ? 

Her. Alexandra's sire s 

Ask'd for strong escort to the Asphaltic Lake. 
The governor accords it. That is all ; 
With welcome and safe biding. Thus thou seest 
Hyrcanus meant escape. From what? for what? 



208 MARIAMNE 



Tlie old vulture scents disaster on the breeze 
That blows from Actium, and his female brood 
"Wets her strong beak for carnage that shall come, 
She hopes, of it here. It is a stupid bird. 
Tlie blood of Ilerod, which the Lord hath spar'd 
So often in worse danger, "^ shall not smear 
Her bald neck; and her rough wings flap in vain. 
But the mere thought is treason, is it not ? 

Sah. My lord, it is. Thy hands there hold the proof. 

Her. "What should be done to those who treason plot, 
Or practice it suggested ? 

Sah. "What is done 
To save assaulted life : life answers life : 
And kings and nations threaten'd have more cause 
For violent defence than have mere men 
Single and subject. 

Her. Even so. Bid call 
The captain of the guard. And be thou mute 
As thou art wise. Then go recruit with food 
And change of dress ; there is not time to batho. 
We owe thee. Multiply one hundred fold 
The cost of thy hard travel made for us, 
Then come upon the treasury ; to-morrow, 
Thou shalt receive the order : until when 
X)ur heartfelt thanks. [Bxit Sab. at the I'ight. 

Behooves me to have care. 
I too presage disaster. "Woman-led, 
Antonius may go down ; and with him fall 
Those who have stood by him. "Well is 't for me, 



ACT III. sc. 1. 209 

False Egypt for Ler own aims sliuts me out 

From tlie great battle. This improves my chance. 

Octavius was more kind to me in Rome 

Than Marcus' self. His more sagacious brain 

Eenders him apt for reasons I can give 

TVhy he should be my friund. But till that come, 

And in my absence Ay, Hyrcanus' death 

Alone can make me safe. Thus snaps the last 

Of Alexandra's tools. I would the hand 

That us'd them could be broken too, as now 

Salome counsel'd. But Salome hints 

Evil of Mariamne. 'T is her spite. 

She hates the stock that lifts its older growth 

More stately than our own. I hate it too. 

Should my hopes fiail me, — should Antonius fall, 

And the blood-heated victor sweep away 

All that the vanquish'd builded, — they shall not 

Sing triumph o'er my funeral : with one blow 

I hear my captain's tread. Of will or force, 
Thou goest to the judgment, grandsire. 

aloud.'] So ; come in. 
As lie calls out this, turning to tlie rigJit^ 
Scene changes. 



210 MABIAMNfi 

Scene II. 

A room in Mariamne^s AiMrtment, 

Maeiamne. Alexander. Aristoboulos. 

Aristo. Motlier, I try to think well of our sire, 
For thy sake as our own ; but when tlie light 
Of his grand deeds and of his puissant-" mind, 
The splendor of his bold designs, whose scope 
Should be an empire, yet whose costly taste 
Makes Israel weep, when this the King's broad light 
Of glory dazzles me, tliere comes a chill. 
And darkness, and the thunder-roar, the palm 
With all her fruits lies prostrate and the ground 
Is riven, and seam'd by torrents ; and in this 
I see the man, my father. "What had done 
Those poor fanatics, that our father, sick. 
Should rise from his suffering, not with pitiful heart 
And grateful for recovery, but in rage, 
And order them to a frightful instant death, — 
To bo burn'd alive ; full forty brave young men. 
With their two leaders? -' what, but follow out 
The law and the prophets, better than himself? 
When from the temple's porch they hew'd the bird, 
They did but foolishly, fired with boyish zeal ; 
And their inciters, teachers wise in law, 



ACT in. sc. 2. 211 

Alone sliould have becu punish'cl. 

Mar. Softly, son. 
Thy fother was too passionate ; 't is liis fault ; 
The punishment too sweeping and severe — — 

Alex. O mother, do not qualify the act. 

'T was what ray brother calls it, and were so 
Had but the head men sufler'd. Thon, wast thou 
Queen of Judea, would not so have done. 

Mar. I am a woman, nor am plac'd as he. 

Thy sire owes all to Rome. His many foes 
Have taunted, and still taunt him, as in birth . 
But half a Jew : -* he is scarce that in soul, 
And fain would force his people o'er the bounds 
He thinks belittle them. Lo, the heathen games, 
The hippodrome, the theatre. Did all 
The popular tumult make him take away 
The trophies that adorn'd this ? 

Arista. Ah, my mother 
Thou wak'st a frightful memory. What rage ! 
"What merciless massacre ! These are cruel acts 
That have no exculpation.-^ Kingly pride 
Should not be so aveng'd, and kingly fears 
That prompt to cruelty but create again 
Themselves in its excesses. When the bond 
Adorns Antipater's brow, I hope his throne 
Will not be propp'd on human skulls, nor fume 
Of roasting children lift its horrid stench 
Around it, to the Moloch of revenge. 

Alex. But why Antipater ? We are better fit 



212 



MARIAMNE 



Than Doris' son to reign. 

Mar. More fit, I liope, 
And think ; for ye have candor, and hirge hearts, 
And fiery hate of wrong, which gives me joy 
Yet frightens me. — ^ 

Alex. And yet it comes of thee. 

Mar. That is my joy, my sons, my good, brave sons, — 
That ye have ta'en from me what is in me 
Most good. But with it ye have drawn the ill 
Of rashness and too fierce and bold a pride: 
And that afltrights me, for your sakes. I fear, 
Often I fear, ye will not live to grace 
The sceptre of my House, even should your sire 
For my sake set aside the earlier riglit 
Of yonr half-brother, who is able too 
And manlike, but I judge vvitliout your truth 
And openness of dealing. In this world, 
At least in this day. Truth goes to the wall, 
While Craft and Doubledealing, laurel-crown'd. 
Drive their triumphal chariot fourabreast 
O'er Fortune's highway. 

Alex. So the Egyptian urg'd. 
But, driven to the wall. Truth need not crouch. 
Nor skulk in its shadow. We shall stand upright', 
Safe in our conscience, and trust God and thee. 

[Mar. presses Mm to Tier hreast. 

Aristo. Yes, hug him, mother. Alexander thinks 
All he has said. But why those tears that stand 
In thy large eyes, beautiful mother and good? 



ACT III. sc. 2. 213 

And now tliey fall ! No, do not weep ! do not ! 

[Kisses Tier on tlic eyelids. 
Mar. Let me. It is not often that tliey flow. 
I weep with mingled sorrow and joy, in fear 
Tliat is delight. O my heart's [iride! my boys ! 
Whom God liath crown'd as kings, albeit the band 
Of human empire never press the locks 
Of either of you ; be for my sake, mine, 
Less rash in speech, less hasty to resent. 
Your bark is in a dangerous sea, whose roar 
On the sunk rocks sounds ever in my ears. 
Be resolute, be men ; but trust not all 
To boldness. Even with an open sky 
And breezes gentle, often goes the keel 
To wreck in the wild breakers, — What is now? 

Enter hurriedly, and icith looks of alarm, 
Alexandra. 

Arista, [to Alex.] Our prow, I fear, is on the rocks already. 
Ala. That demon Herod ! Thy grandsire, O my child. 
Is seiz'd. — 

Mar. Seiz'd! 

Ala. Even now I saw him led 
Under a guard to the Council, which has met 
In the great hall. 

Mar. What hath he done ? 

Ala. What done? 
What is he, ask. He is the last male left 



214 lliVEIAMNE 



Of the royal house thy husband hates and feara. 
Mar. It will be soon extinct. What can he fear? 
Thy father is now standing on the grave. 
AVhy should he push him in ? 

Ala. Because himself 
May fill it first. Know thou, the news is come, 
Though not confirm'd, Antonius has lost all 
In a great sea-fight. Ilerod fears the event 
May rouse to tumult, and the people place 
The old man over them. 

Aristo. That they could not do. 
lie is too gentle and yielding. What when young 
He put aside, is 't like now in old age, 
So old as his, he would risk more than life, 
His people's weal, to gain ? 

Mar. It is some plot. 

I hope, my mother, thou hast not 

Ala. Wliat should I? 
Is 't I made Ilerod cruel ? Ilath he not 
Murder'd already my sole sou, the best 
And loveliest of youths ? 

Mar. Be hush'd ; at least, 
Before the sons of Herod; even were there proof, 
As there is none, of so atrocious guilt. 
But thou, thou didst with strange device, before, 
Tempt the King's anger, — hast thou not now plann'd 
Some scheme, wherein my grandsire is involv'd, 
Oflfensive to the King ? He is too old. 
And gentle, reverend man, to practice auglit 



ACT in. sc. 2. 215 

Of his own motion ; but the lightest breath 
Of artful siuisiou bends him like a reed. 
Ala. What should I plan, my daughter? Is he not 
My father as thy grandsire ? Know I not 
The royal wrath how deadly '< But I know 
The King's suspicious also, and his hate 
Cruel as death. The earthquake, that late rag'd,*" 
Is not more fearful ; for, like it, none knows 
Where will the shock be, or beneath whose walls 
The ground may open. Wives, and sons, and friends, 
All tremble at his roaring, and with cause : 
The blood he tastes sates not the king of beasts, 
But makes him more rapacious for new prey. 
Frown not. Thou 'It see how this will end. 'T will be 
No murder, no ; as with my gentle son. 
Who was not drown'd, but only lost his breath 
Under smooth water. So the King gets rid 
Of both his ])OSsible rivals. Be thou warn'd: 
Our turn may come the next. [Exit. 

Mar. I fear, my sons, 
Your sire may be more cruel than I thought. 
But let us not distrust. Is not this case 
Before the Sanhedrim, without whose voice 
Death cannot be decreed ? All will be well. 
Go now. Inquire, and gather what you can : 
But go not to the Ilall, lest the King's wrath 
Turn on ye, and yourselves forget liis due. 

[Exeutit Arista, and Alex. 
God of my sires ! God of this blood-stain'd land ! 



216 



MARIAMNE 



Spread thy wings o'er us, o'er my sons, my mother. 

T have try'd to inspire them, for their fother's sake, 

With hope, but on tliis heart weigh leaden doubt 

And cold distrust. O turn them not to hate ! 

He is my spouse, the father of my boys. 

Give me to feel that still, and both our hearts, 

Mine which is haughty, and his, make Thou more calm ! 

Scene chansres. 



Scene III. 

The Hall of the Throne. 

Hekod, seated. 

Behind the throne, standing, Guards in full armor, 

ioith huchlcrs and long sjjears. 

On either side, seated, the members of the Sanhedrim ; 

among whom, and nearest to Herod, Simeon. 

Miihcay, facing the throne, 

IIykcanus, with the Cuptain of the Guard on ' 

his left ; and on his right, hut somewhat removed, Sabbion. 

Her. That I liave taken this step, rest ye assur'd 
Comes of no light incentive. Know I not 
"What ag 'd llyrcanus is ? his lofty claim, 



ACT III. sc. 3. 217 

Bj the just awe of birth and ouce-liigh place, 

To our joint reverence? Can I well forget 

His royal blood flows by two kindred streams 

In my wife's veins and joins mine in her sons? ^ 

I thus, of natural pride, and by the tie 

Of ancient obligation, — for all know, 

One of you well, how once Hyreanus lov'd 

And favor'd Herod, — I thus am minded more 

To cloak his errors, than to set them bare 

Before your judgments. But the realm's best weal, 

The safety of my function, of myself, 

In this so critical juncture, when the clash 

Of kindred Roman arms re-echoes here, 

Sounding to similar strife and civil war, 

Are too imperious, that the inward voice 

Of private feeling and domestic claim 

Should more than whisper. Treason in our midst -■ 

Hyr. Treason ? 

Her. Ay, treason, treason in high place, — 
Calls for prompt punishment; and I, Uerud King, 
Denounce for this, before your reverend court, 
Hyreanus present, 

Sim. On what charge ? 

Her. On this, 
That he hath correspondence, interchange 
Of counsel and of presents with the foe, 
The ethnarch of Arabia, whom our arms, 
Favor'd by Rome, have forc'd to timorous peace. 
And render'd tributary."^ 



218 JIARIAMNE 



Sim. And to this grave charge 
"What pleads the high accus'd? 

Hyr. I might make j^lea 
By replication of the King's own thouglit ; 
But it would shame me, to ungrateful ears 
To chant my acts of kindness. Have I lov'd him ; 
Did I, when, summon'd to a court like this, 
He durst come arm'd, assist him to escape, 
Though Shetach's son, whom sole of all that court, 
So outrag'd, hath this Herod left alive,"" 
Himself dissuaded, warning what now comes; 
Was 't I who, ask'd who fittest was to rule. 
Told the Triumvir it was Herod here,*' 
Though to my own wrong who, hy Julius' act, 
Was ethnarch then, as well as priest supreme, 
And born a king ; did I do this, — so speak, — 
So testify to his power, — while yet strong. 
Would I, now stepp'd a half-score years beyond 
The common goal of life, without as then 
Power or treasure, and having now no race 
'I"o inherit from me, but whose blood is merg'd 
In Herod's ov/n, conspire against his rule ? 
Treason ? In me ? \[j top is white as Hermon's, 
My stock is not the never-fading tree 
Of Lebanon, and from it spreads no more 
A branch direct : a few brief years at most 
And ye will lay me wliere no dreams of pomp 
Make restless human vanity. What then 
Have I to hope fi'om treason ? 



ACT III. sc. 3, 219 

Iler. Hope alone 
Not always prompts to change, and traitors toil 
Often for others' ends, when too the pile 
Tliey underdig is tlieir own house of stone, 
And its down toppling, if it crush them not, 
Yet leaves them homeless. Is llyrcanus old, 
Others are not so ; has he lov'd me, love 
Is prone to jealousy, distrust and fear, 
Islor does it not know anger. Younger brains 
Have woven for him, shooting through their warp 
His shuttle of distrust ; but not the less 
The work is treason, and the web is his. 
Syr. Distrust? I might make answer, show'd I such 
When from my Parthian refuge Herod's voice 
Entic'd me hither ? ^^ But all this is vain. 
Both charge and answer : let the King give proof. 
Her. Behold, [extending the Arabian letter to Simeon. 
Sim. \]iis eyes on the missive. 

This leiter answers to one sent 
Seemingly by Hyrcanus, and accords 
Arm'd conduct to the Salt Sea shore as ask'd. 
Hyr. For what ? 

Sim. It is not said. 

Hyr. Escape at most. 
Implies that treason ? 

Her. It implies mistrust, 
"Which thou hast just deny'd. Escape from what? 
The innocent dread not danger. Tliou liast done, 
Or wouldst do, whether of thyself, or push'd 



220 MARIAMNE 



By others craftier, what endangers peace 

And menaces the throne. Was 't not for this 

That Alexander's widow plotted flight, 

Dragging her son the High-priest to that pit 

Where now her father stumbles? 

Hyr. 'T is a plot 

Against ray life's poor remnant, or a fraud 

Inspir'd by jealousy to elicit facts 

To justify suspicion. Who shall say 

That missive is not forg'd ? If meant for rae, 

How came it to the King's hands ? 

Her. Ask of him 

Who brought it and denounc'd thee. Tliere he stands. 
Hyr. He ? Sabbion ? Hear, friends ! all that in this court 

Love honor and hate treason. This same man 

Told Alexandra that her son was drown'd 

By Herod's order, and that he himself 

Strove hard to save him. 

Her. Did he so ? 'Tis like. 

Now, by my father's ghost, who drank his death 

At thy cupbearer's hand, suborn'd by him 

That double traitor, he shall fare like thee. 

Take them to instant death ! 

Sah. My lord ! 

Her. Spoak not. 

Hadst thou a hundred necks, they all should bleed. 
Sim. But suffer me, O King. The Sanhedrim 

Are here for council, met at tliy request. 

By their advice alone, can death he given. 



ACT. III. sc. 3. 221 

Iler. What! in a case of treason ? where the crime 
Is done against myself ? Guards! bear them off. 

Sim. But yet one word, O King. Hyrcauus' life 
Is counting its last drops. The measur'd glass 
That drips so fast, let its thin, threadlike stream 
Pour downward in a prison, nor thy fame 

Smirch with thy wife's 

Her. No more. I owe thee much ; ^* 
Nor have I been ungrateful. But thy hand 
Beware thou thrust not in the lion's mouth 
When open'd on liis prey. Guards, to tlie front. 
The assembly is dissolv'd. No pause give either : 
Off with their heads. So is my sire aveng'd. 

Herod iiow slanding itj)^ his right 

arm stretched oiit to thefront^ his right foot ad- 

vanced, while the left, set haclward, rests upon the toe, 

the Sanhedrim have likewise risen. 

Pari of the Guard have.^ 
at a signal from the Caftain, sur- 
rounded Hyecanus and Sabbion. The rest 
moving dowmoard. take their place on either side 
in front of the Council, and salute xcilh their spears the 
King, as he descends from the throne: 
and the 

Drop falls. 



222 maeiamne 

Act the Fourth 

Scene I. A sitting-room in Mariamne's Apartment. 

Heeod. Mariamne. 

Mar. No, didst thou love me, love me with thy sonl, 

Thou hadst not done it. My grandsire, old and weak, 
So old, so very weak, so good and kind, 
"Who was his own way creeping to the grave, 
Thou might'st have spar'd him, were it for my sake. 
Thine is not true love. No, emhrace me not: 
Thou smell'st of murder. 

Her. Mariamne ! Ah, 
Too well thou know'st I love thee, or tliy lips 
Would not so dare asperse me. Murder? Take 
That insult to thy mother. On her head 
Bests the crime's blood-stain, if there was a crime. 
Am I the only king who must not guard 
My throne from treason, nor my palace walls 
Rid of the vermin foe that grub therein, 
Because their gnawing breaks not my wife's rest 
Nor wakes her sense of danger ? 

Mar. And because 
(Give thy whole thought its breath,) because the wife 
Shares the rats' blood nor can be made to think 
Their narrow teeth not harmless. 



ACT IV. sc. 1. 223 

Her. Thou, not I, 
Have said it. I had not a thought, could not 
Saving in folly have such, that thy race 
Valiant and royal were a verujin brood. 

Mar. It irks not, iJ thou hadst. Ilyrcanus' blood 
llad form'd a river, rolling to the sea. 
While yet Antipater's was a petty rill. 

Her, This is too But it shall be borne from thee : 

And thou art wild with grief. That haughty ire 
Adds to thy beauty, and those scornful eyes 
That lighten through still rain, thy upturn'd lip 
And nostrils' higher curve, thy throat's swoU'n arch 
And thy cheeks deepen'd red, all make me more 
Thy patient slave than ever. my spouse, 
Lov'd Tuother of my sons, forgive my act. 
'Twas not in hate of thee. 

Mar. No, nor that act 
(Men say 't was thine) that took my brother off, 
Another of the vermin Avhose small life 
Troubles the lord of palaces, and makes, 
Tiirough divers traps, the dark pool and the axe 
Helps to his sceptre. 

Her. "Now, by Judah's God 

Thou dost not tremble ! 'Tis thy pride, or wrath. 
Or knowledge of my love's depth, makes thee bold 
To face me iu this temper. None but thee 
Had dar'd it. Go ; go, ere it be too late. 
Thuu art beside thyself, and I forgive. 

Mar. Forgive? 'Tis I may say that word, not thou. 



224 



MAKIAMNE 



I go, bnt less in anger than in grief. 
The breach thy crime has made between our hearts 
"Will not soon narrow. Till its gap is clos'd, 
Mine will not bound to meet thine as of old. 

[Exit, at right. 
Ber. Ungrateful ! And for this 

Enter JosEpn, from the left. 

Thou com'st in time. 
I would not be alone ; not now. [ Walking up and down 
with discomposure. 
Jo. I fear'd to come 
Up to the women's rooms. But thou so bad 'st, 
The slave said. 

Her. Even so. I had the thought, 
In giving Mariamne to thy charge, 

Which I must do, 

Jo. Go'st thou from us again ? 
ffer. — I tliought to do 't before her, for her sake 
And in her honor : but thou seest, O uncle, 

How I am ruffled. Mariamne's pride 

Ah, well she knows my weakness and her power. 
Yet, to continual strain the strongest links 
Of iron will loosen, and a sudden blow, 
Btmck on the chain when tense, may snap at once 
What swinging loosely has hung strong for years. 
Jo. Bc! troubled less. "What has occurr'd ? 

He/-. At times, 
Methinks I hate her, as I do even now, 



ACT rv. sc, 1. 225 

When, in her absence, rises up alone 

The image of lier scorn and on my ears 

Eing her reproaches, and I loathe myself 

For what I bear from her. But she comes; T gaze 

On her transcendent beauty, and my soul 

Melts into languor, or intlames with heat 

Of longing as in youtli, and seems it good 

To lie in lier lap by the hour and have her hand 

Play with my looseu'd hair, the regal band 

Thrown by as worthless. She might even shear 

My power like Samson's. I should not complain, 

Till from my daydream rous'd to find my strength 

Gone with ray locks. 

Jo. What hath she done . 

Her. But now, 
I thought I should like to kill her, set my teeth 
In her fair cheek, and with my fingers tear 
Her dark eyes from their sockets. I could then 
Have drunk her blood and eaten of her flesh, 
And after kill 'd myself despairing. Hear. 
That thought recalls my purpose and makes fis'd 
What only now was floating in ray brain 
A half-form'd fancy. Give me time. Speak not. 

After a2)ause.] Uncle, I must to Cfosar, and forthwith. 
The master of the world, he holds my fate 
Suspended in the balance. A known friend. 
And favor'd, of Antonius, ray claims 
To his kindness, or forbearance even, weigh 
Like feathers, while in the opposing scale 



226 MARIAMNE 



Aly enemies' arts and malice are as lead. 

If I can get before them, prove my zeal 

How useful to the victor by the faith 

I have kept with the vanquish 'd, and have time to tliro\v 

My gold amid the feathers, then the lead 

Goes up in turn, and Herod stands, as king, 

Firmer than ever. Else I might as well 

Beat out my brains like Phasael ; ^^ for my doom 

Is ruin, haply death. If this sliould be, 

It were as nothing to the pang to know 

Tliat Mariamne'd beauty, haply love. 

Might joy another, that from tlieir embrace 

New issue might arise, to make her blood 

Pretext of quarrel and rebellious claim 

Against my own sons. Wilt thon make me sure 

Such shall not happen, uncle ? 

Jo. Gladly. How? 
ner. But wilt thou ? 

Jo. By what means ? 

Her. "What count to thee 
The means ? For me alone the end : and I 
Alone am answerable. Wilt thou then 
Do what I bid thee? Nothing of thyself, " 
But, in my absence, solely what I bid, 
In a contingence that may never fall ? 
Jo. I will.. 

Her. But swear it. 'T is the last one deed 
Of kindness thou canst do me. For, when done, 
I shall be dead ; and only, am I dead, 



ACT, IV, sc. 1, 227 

"Will it be done. Thus is thy promise given 
As to a dying man. Swear then. 

Jo. I swear. 

Her. By Israel's God and by my father's soul. 

Jo. By Israel's God and by thy father's soul. 

Her. Give, on the instant thou shalt hear my fate, 
Give to death Mariamne. Thou hast sworn, 
Nor only her, — for Alexandra's arts, ' 
Not vanity nor ruttish blood alone. 
Would prompt to my dishonor; let the stroke 
Fall on her mother likewise. I shall joy, 
When I kneel down to meet the headsman's axe, 
To know its echo in Judea here 
Will send a double echo back to Rome, 
And Herod's manes, as the heathen think, 
Have their due victims. Thou hast sworn. 

Jo. I have. 

Her. Let me embrace thee, uncle. Thou art best, 
As haply last, .of Herod's friends. — Wait here. 
Wlien Mariamne comes, say I have given 
Her over to thy charge till my return. 
Come slie not soon, so call the eunuch in 
And summon her in my name. Farewell. 

Jo. And thou. 
And may thy fears prove but an ugly dream. 

[Exit Herod. 

But should 'st thou wake to realize them, then 

Shall an oath bind to murder ? Jepthali's vow 
Was taken in heat of heart, which n^ade his brain 



228 MARIAMNE 



Slow to forecast the possible result : 

Or, if forecast, it bound liim to an act 

Not in his right to do. I, in constraint 

Of personal fear, and taken by surprise. 

Have sworn blindfolded ; and to do the act 

When mine eyes are unbandag'd would be crime 

"Without disculp, and folly grave as crime. 

The impulsive terror wanting ; for on me 

Would fall prompt vengeance : Mariamne's sons — • 

Why, I were blind as Herod in his rage, 

To do his bidding! But he will not fall. 

Bloody as brave, in whose ferocious heart 

Throbs not one drop for i)ity or remorse. 

He is sagacious, has a ready tongue, 

A stately presence, and that open hand 

Which argues better than the brain and makes 

All tongues persuasive. He will still at Eome 

Bear up the head triumphant which has wav'd 

Its crest through hundred dangers and upheld 

In seas of blood unspotted, as if crime 

In him were hallow'd. Heaven keep him still 

Uumerg'd till those who are tied to him float to shore. 

Scene cluuiyes. 



ACT IV. sc. 2. 229 

Scene II. 

A private room in Mariamne's A2)artment, 

Mariamne 

seated on the floor, her face in Tjoth her hands. 

Enter, eagerly, 

Alexandra. 

Ala. In tears? Not for the news I bring? 

Mar. Wliat news? 
Ala. I deem'd thou hadst lieard it from himself: the King 

Is going, I came to share thy joy. 

Mar. For what? 
Ala. At present liberty, for escape perliaps 

From probable death, which overhangs us both, 

Perpetual shadow, while the tyrant lives. 
Mar. Mother, thou speakest of my spouse. 

Ala. What then? 

Is it not Herod, the fell beast whose jaws 

Yet drip with human gore, my sii-e's, my sou's? 

When his maw craves again, it may be mine, 

Or thine, thy children's, will new-wet the fangs 

Already crimson with our royal blood. 
Mar. Alas, thou mak'st the bitter fountain fill 

To the brim again. It bubbled o'er but now 

In the King's presence. lie had come, I think. 



230 MAEIAMNE 



To tell me of his going ; but my heart 
Sweird with resentment, and my arms drew hack 
When his own spread to me. But is he gone ? 
Aud whither? 

Ala. He is going : at the gate 
ITis train are waiting. 'T is to make his peace 
With his new patron. Let us hope, tongue- craft, 
Nor Judah's ravish'd gold, will chase the frown 
From C33sar's visage, but the axe or cage 
Quiet our monster. 

M<ir. Mother, hush. To me 

He still is gentle; hearing, in his love 

Ala, Love? Amorous heat; tiie hunger of the lieart 
Fed on thy relishing beauty. Let the food 
Once lose its savor, where art thou with him, 
Whose passions all are brutal? If he fights, 
Or kills, or loves, or grasps what is not his, 
Or ia his fears grows deadly, he is still 
The lion or the leopard ; on his eyes 
The lids close seldom fully, and his claws 
Play fast and loose beneath their soft thick hair. 
What did he when before he sought in haste 
Antonius, summoned to Laodicea 
For thy poor brother's murder ? Did he leave 
Our prison -doors unbarr'd? He shov'd the bolt 
To the staple end, and set o'er us, as sj^y 
And jailer both, his uncle. What he fear'd 
Arose ti-om me, and doubted was of thee. 
He fears and doubts us now. His uncle came 



ACT IV. sc. 2. 231 



In haste to meet him in tlic outer room 

Of thy own chamhers. Didst thou see him there? 
Mar. No, I had left in auger. 'T was, 't is like, 

To give me openly to Joseph's care. 
Ala. Why to his care ? Art thou not grown ? Thou hast 

Thy mother with thee, and thy sons if young 

Are brave and manlike. What has he to trust 

That is not safe with them, or with thyself? 

There is something more in it. The eye and claw 

Must be kept open, lest the vermin, left 

Too broad a range 

Mar. Ah! 

Ala. What hast thou? 

Mar. A thought ; 

A memory ; nothing. Ilerod us 'd the word 

Not in reproach ; but I mistook it so. 
Ala. Was the word " vermin" ? ^* Did the phi'ase toucli thee ? 
Mar. No, not in any wise. It was our race, 

He said, that burrow'd in his palace-walls; 

And he spoke angrily : and I reply'd, 

Angry as he, and with a haughtier phrase. 

I do regret it. 

Ala. That thou hast a soul ? 

That thou wast born of me ? For 't is my spring 

The Idumean cat would keep in reach 

Of his great claws. Let Joseph come in here. 
Mar. Here, in my private chamber? 

Ala. Is he not 

Thy husband's uncle, and his sister's spouse? 



232 MARIAMNE 



An old man too? And am I not beside? 

Let me bid call him in ? lie is lightly sway'd, 

And may tell Herod's purpose. 

Mar. No, do not. 
My lord departs in anger, and disdains 
To bid farewell. I must not vex him more. 
Ala. IIow will he know it? Doth his uncle wait, 
As I was told, 't is, by the King's desire, 
Expecting thee. But thou wouldst have him here. 
If he not wait for thee, no harm is done ; 
The eunuch need not call him. 

Mar. 'T is great risk. 
Ala. For my sake, Mariamne ! 

Mar. Yet awhile, 
Till the King starts. He might in alter'd mood 
Come to take leave. Thou seest, it must be wrong, 
Or I should have no fear to be surpris'd. 
Ala. Wrong to crave knowledge? Thou was not forbid 
To eat the apple. And it is, I say, 
For my sake, daughter. Uerod will not come : 
His mood is not so pliant. Hark tliou there ! 
Those shouts ! and now, the clatter of the hoofs ! 
He is gone already. 

Mar. Gone? Without a care ? 
Call in the man then ; and do what thou wilt. 

Alexandra, 

glancing with satisfaction at MaTiamnc''s rising color 

and haughty mien., turns to the door., 

as the Scene changes. 



ACT IV. sc. 3. 233 

SOKNE ITT. 

As in Act II. Scene II. 

Antipatee. 

Ant!]). Now, should my fatlier not return But soft ; 

Why should I wish it ? Were my plans full-ripe ■ 

But to Rome's now sure master scarcely known ; 

Unable to buy favor ; the two forts 

That overawe the city yet in hands 

That are not friendly, and without that force 

Might wrest tbera from their hold ; the people's hearts 

Inclin'd to Max'iamue's brood, whose mien 

And temper have that gewgaw show that takes 

The popular regard, but unto me 

Is index of a weakness that makes strong 

My kinglier craft and adds to natural right 

A natural advantage ; my few friends 

( I have such ; men are alway friends to those 

They hope to gain by) neither strong nor stanch, 

While, in the palace Why desires my aunt 

To meet me with my mother here? Some plot, 
Rash and unscrupulous. But I trust her not. 
She hates my brothers, not of love for me 
( Though there are times her eyes look into mine 



234 MAEIAIINE 



S(,>in 'wliat too greedily,) but hates for that 
The} aro Mariamiie's sons. — 

Enter Doras 

So ghad ? What 's fallen ? 
Is Mariamne dead ? 

Do. Thou easily jump 'st 
To a conclusion, which is yet not far. 
Aiitip. What mean 'st thou ? 

Bo. Death : death possibly ; but shame, 
Certain and. terrible for the pride that stands 
Over thy mother daily, and the womb 
That gave thee rivals to thy natural riglit, 
Who art a king's son, though thou cam 'st too soon 
To be born such. 

Ant'q^ Which was my mother's fault, 
Who wed my sire too early. 

Do. A false jest. 
More late, he had not wedded me at all, 
Or given me but that second place had made 
Thy brothers elder. Is thy present claim 
Worse then than none? It shall be better soon 
By what thy brothers lose, when comes the King 
Back to avenge me by my rival's wo. 
Antip. Speak no more riddles. 

Do. No ; I must despatch, 
Before thy aunt comes. First to thee ; then her. 
But how she will receive it She is here. 



ACT IV. sc. 3. 235 

Enter Salome. 

8alo. What makes tliy looks so bright ? 

Do. I would my news 

Might give like light to thine. But 

Salo. 0, speak out : 
I am not easily dash'd, nor made to grieve. 
Do. Hadst thou e'er doubt of Joseph ? 

Salo. Of my spouse ? 
Why no, and yes. I deem that, like all men's, 
His eyes will wander. But his beard is gray ; 
And wantonness costs more trouble to the old, 
And hath not such sharp prompting. 

Do. But the lash 
Of habit drives the passions as before. 
And men will sin because they have siun'd. 

Salo. Good. 
Not Solomon, nor Sirach's son miglit speak 
More pithily or aptly. What in fine 
Hath Herod's uncle done ? 

Do. What, if I said 
Made love to Herod's wife ? 

Salo. I should believe 
Thou art deluded. Was it made to thee ? 
Do. No, that were nothing ; nothing unto thee. 
It was to Mariamne. 

Salo. Art thou mad? 
Do. No, somewhat wild with joy, as thou shouldst be, 
So he were not thy husband. 



236 MABIAMNE 



Salo. Mind me not. 
What is this wonder ? Briefly. 

Do. Joseph went 
But now to Mariamne, call 'd by her 
To her most private chamber, Herod gone. 
Salo. llow know 'st thou that? 

Do. I saw liira go, — was told 
By the chief eunuch, he was call 'd tliercto. 
Salo. By her ? 

Antip. Is not her mother there ? 

Do. My son, 
Meddle not with affairs for which thy age 
Has lent thee no experience. What should do 
The King's high officer, though his graudsire's son, 
In the King's wife's close chamber, say her dam 
By chance was present, he, the King, away ? 
Salo. 'T is flatly treason. Whether something more 
Rests in conjecture, but is not unlike. 
Seeing the wanton's untam'd blood and pride 
Of petted beauty, and the scope now given 
To gratify her lover and, through him, 
Glut her huge hate of rae. Well look 'st thou glad : 
I came to scheme with you, with simple hope 
Of an uncertain mischief : by one stroke 
And with her own rash hand, lo, all is done. 

When comes my brother back [pnusing. 

Antip. What can he do? 
There is no proof of crime. 

Salo. And needs there such? 



ACT IV. sc. 3. 237 

Suspicion asks for none, and jealous rage 
Will not await it. llerod grows more fierce 
By habit of bis wrath ; and Mariainne 
Disdains to soothe it. When tliey parted now, 
It was in anger. On my brother's front 
The thunder-clouds yet lower'd. — 

Do. Said he aught? 

Salo. Nothing, except to curse her misproud blood. 

"When the storm roars again and lightning comes 

[pausing, 

Antip. Poor Mariamne ! 

Salo. Hast thou pity then ? 

Do. It is not of the heart. His father wail 'd 

With louder clamor o'er the drown'd High-priest. 

Salo. So young and crafty ? 

Antip. Nay, my mother errs ; 
I see not why this terrible wrong should be. 

Salo. Then seest thou not thy interest. Be content. 
We have one common object : I, in hate 
For trampled pride ; thy mother, in revenge 
For wrong as well as outrage ; thou, because 
Of thy imperilVl rights : and thou alone 
Wilt reap the real harvest. Be less nice. 
If on the threefold altar of our cause 
I offer up my husband, a weak man 
Who gives me no offence, and even in this 
Wrongs Herod and not me, why shouldst thou scan 
So narrowly her fate to whom thou ow 'st 
That thou hast two stout rivals next the throne ? 



238 MARIAMNE 



Let the proud wanton pay, as others do, 

The mulct of her misdeed, and it" she go 

The way so many of her breed have gone. 

Shut both thine eyes, — or open them and praise God. 

Salome moves to the door, 

Antipatee and Doeis attending her obsequiously ; 

and the Droj) falh. 



Act the Fifth 

Scene I. As in Act IV. Scene I. 

Mariamne. Alexandra 
entering hurriedly. 

Ala. The King has come ! And with him comes the news 
Of Cleopatra and Antonius' death. 
So cold and silent ? Once, thou hadst heard with joy 
My first of tidings, and the last, if not 
With sorrow, yet surprise. 

Mar. That time is gone, 
Perchance forever. Did the Egyptian die 
By her own hand ? 

Ala. Right royally and strangely, 



ACT V. sc. 1. , 239 

Bitten by asps, convey'd by ber coinniand 
For tbat fix'd purpose, rather tbau be led 
lu triumph. 

Mar. Say thou, ratlier tlian be made 
Subjected to a man. 'T was well resolv'd, 
Give me the ring. 

Ala. The poison ? Ah, my child, 
Thou hast wak'd to reason. Thou wilt use it then 
As meant the giver? 

Mar. As befits me do. \^Puts it on. 
Ala. That is, against thy tyrant. And how else ? 
Now that by so long eifort and deep craft 
We have sounded Joseph's secret, what is left 
To thee or unto me ? But only this : 
Either to take life or to yield it. 

Mar. No. 
Not, did the King not come, had Joseph dar'd, 
Nay, he would not have chosen, kindly man, 
To wreak such cruelty. 

Ala. Suppose that so; 
Or tbat in his despite we had made escape. 
As I desir'd, thou know 'st, with his consent 
And aid to do ; what then ? the will remains ; 
The tyrannous bloody will, the love of self, 
Which has no sense for any outward thing 
It may not di'aw to itself, where, in its web, 
Centred, the swollen insect waits its prey, — 
This, these remain, and threaten at all times. 
Caprice, an accident, a heedless step, 



240 , MARIAMNE 



May bring us ouce more in the tangled mesh 

"Wherethrougli wo liave broken, and wiiose sticky threads 

I feel upon rae now. Tliou seest I shake. 

'T is no feign'd shudder. While the spider lives, 

Our brains are not our own. What wilt thou do 

When the wife-murderer, that would be, bounds in? 

Inarm him? speak him fair? 

Mar. Not till his soul 
Stands free of this blood-charge. 

Ala. How should that be? 
Wilt thou put question to him ? 

Mar. Nothing less. 
Out of his own mouth will I know if love 
Must have its heart-food follow it to the tomb. 

Ala. It was not love so hungered after me. 

Mar. Thou wast not nam'd by Joseph. 

Ala. No ; but a.sk'd, 
His silence gave sure answer. O my child, 
For his sake, if not for thy own and mine, 
Say nothing to thy tyrant : 't were his death. 

Mar. No ; was it not for Herod's sake alone, 
Worry'd to hear me call his love in doubt. 
That Joseph spake? The king can not take scorn 
That in his interest, though indeed misjudg'd. 
His secret was betray'd. 

Ala. Nay, be advis'd ! 
Thy temper is too hauglity ; Herod's wrath 
Is quick and deadly as a serpent's sting. 
Heed me, I beg, — tliou seest, with tears, my child : 



ACT V. sc. 1. . 241 

It is our lives' risk ; and the beast lie comes ! [low. 

Poison him, but provol^e him not. [Exit above, as 

Enter, from the left, 

Uekod. 

Her. My love ! — 
Thy motlier is kind to leave us to ourselves. — 
What ! hast thou no embrace for me ? for me, 
Eescu'd as 't were from death, and whose whole thought 
Has been, from first to last, of tliee alone? 
Mar. Ay, and beyond tlie last. 

Eer. "What should that say ? 
And tlie same angry look that gave farewell 
Welcomes me back ! I might believe thee vex'd 
I am safe return'd. What wouldst thou, Mariamne? 
Mar. Something less selfish, /would keep alive 
■ All that I love, though 't were for others' good : 
Thou wouldst entomb thy best possessions with thee, 
And grudgest ev'n breath that is not breath'd for thee. 
Jler. Art thou distracted ? Speak thy sense more clear. 
O my false hopes ! I bounded like a boy 
To thy endearments, and I meet a corpse. 
Death were not colder and wears no such look 
Of a repelling scorn. 

Mar. No, death is calm 
And rigid. Would its stirless quiet suit 
Better thy wishes ? That was not to be 
Till thou wast dead. 

Eer. Ilah I Now thy sense is plain, 



242 MARIAMNE 



Tbougli scarce c'ear-spoken. Where gatt'st thou the tale? 
Mar. And is it true then ? Didst thou doom thy wife 

To share the untimely fate was meant for tliee ? 
TTi'r. Who told thee that? My uncle? Stand'st thou dumb? 

Now ! 

Mar. Harm him not. He souglit to prove thy love, 

Which I then questioned and now wholly doubt 

Kill me for love ? But say it was not so ; 

Say that he did mistake thee. — 

Her. Woman, no ; 

But foully hath he wrong'd me, he and thou. 

What gav'st thou for his secret ? Look'st thou scorn ? 

■^That proves not innocence. Guilt may wear that mien ; 

And the proud blood resents the justest charge 

That humbles it. That fix'd gaze blinds me not. 

Nor thy dumb anger. Thou hast sold thy body 

To Joseph for his secret, or 't was won 

By its design'd betrayal, Nothing less 

Had tempted or had paid him. 

Mar. Art thou mad ? 
Her. Away ! I '11 search this out. Whate'er it prove, 

He hath broken trust, and dearly shall he rue. 

[Exit. 
Mar. What have I done? The guiltless man will die. 

Poor, kindly Joseph ! who was only weak 

And long withstood us. I will save hira yet, 

Cost what it may to this sinful, fatal pride. 



ACT. V. sc. 2. 243 

Scene II. 

As ill Act III. Sc. I. 

Salome. Herod, entering with 2^6rtur'bation ; 
Salome advancing to meet him. 

Solo. Happily come, my brother ! God is just. 
Her. Spare greeting. And I am not happily come. 

Tell me of Mariamne. Tell 

Salo. Alas! 
Her. Why break'st thou on me witli that cry and look ? 

Speak ! What is wrong? What hath she done ? Seest not 

I am wild with my impatience? 

Salo. If I pause, 

'T is thinking how to tell what needs must grieve. 
Her. Palter not ; dost thou know me? 

Salo. Ah, too well. 

I fear thy temper : and this dreadful tale 

Her. Mean'st thou I shall go mad indeed with rage ? 

What is it? Thy husband? Joseph? In one word. 
Salo. 'T is the King bids. Against my brother's peace, 

I do his bidding. Scarcely wast tliou gone, 

When Mariamne sent for him. — 
» Her. For whom ? 

S(tlo. For Joseph. 

Her. Sent ? I bad him wait her coming 



244 MARIAMNE 



In her own outer room. 

Salo. That would not suit 
Their secret purpose. 

Her. Hah ! Whom sent she then ? 
Salo. The eunuch-chief. 

Her. lie shall to the torture straight. 
Salo. Stay, and hear all. [Going. 

Her. Thou know'st this ? 

Salo. Doris saw, 
Herself, the slave conduct him to the door 
Of the inmost chambers, and there shut him in. 
Her. Doris ? She hates her ! 

Salo. Not the less may speak 
The truth in this story, nor would dare do else. 
O ray poor brother, this is no strange tale : 
Myself have long had reason to suspect 
Their guilty intercourse. 

Her. Nor made it known ? 
Salo. How durst I ? And suspicion was not faith. 
Now, it is more; 'tis knowledge. 

Her. And I bring 
"What makes conviction. Joseph has unbar'd 
To her my secret. This herself made known 
With scorn and anger, shunning my embrace. 
Salo. Conscious of her pollution. What was then 
Thy secret ? 

Her. Matters it ? Say I had bid 
Her life should end with mine? 

Salo. It were enough 



ACT V. sc. 2. 245 

To impel to a revenge which Joseph made, 
'T is like, the price of treason. 

Her. Paid or not, 
ITis head shall reimburse it. 

8alo. Paid or not ? 
Is there a doubt ? 

Her. Until the accursed deed 
Be proven, ay. The Sanhedrim shall search it. 
Solo. Thou canst not call them now. Wilt thou then wait 
Till the blood cools ? 

H&r. It will not cool till blood 
Of kindred veins is pour'd upon the fire. 
Why dost tliou stop me, if thou 'dst have me haste ? 
Solo. Not to arrest thy justice. Let its bolt 
Fall on the traitor; but his paramour — 
I grieve to sting thee, brother — let thy spouse, 
Who tempted and rewarded him, be scath'd 
By the same lightning. 

Her. She shall not escape. 

[Exit precipitately , followed hy Salome. 



246 MARIAMNE 

Scene III. 

The Hall of the Tlirone. as in Act III. Be. III. 

In the l>ac'kgrouncl, in their due positions, 

the chief Officers of the household, a?id the Guards, drawn 

tip to receive the King. 

Before them, waiting for the same purpose, 

in the centre, Alexander and Ahistoboulos / 

on the right, Antipater and Doris, — 

a Utile behind whom, Simeon ; 

on the left, Alexandra and Joseph. 

Enter Mariamne. 

Alexandra comes down to meet her, Joseph fol- 
lowing, Itit more sloicly. 

Mar. O mother! Thou hast ruin'd Joseph. 

Ala. How? 
Mar. Ask not. The King is furious. Bid him fly. 
Thou wilt not ? Then the risk be mine. 

To Jos. who has now approached.] Go, go ; 
Thy life hangs by a thread. Stay not to think. 
Fly from the court, unhappy ! till the King 
Shall come to reason. 

Jo. Ilast thou lost me then ? 
Mar. Yes, yes; T have wrongVl and ruinM thco. Let not 



ACT V. sc. 3. 247 

Thy death be on my conscience. Wilt thou stand 
Bewilder'd? Thou hast not a breath to spare. 
I was rash and cruel- selfish, and reveal 'd 
What thou didst tell me, and reproach'd my lord, 
"Who put on thy goodnature a vile sense 
I cannot name. Thou seest thy danger now. 

Go. 

Jo. But go whither? 

Mar. Anywhere to lurk 
Till the King's wrath blow over. Leave to me 
The consolation not to think thee lost. 
Too late! too late! 

Enter Herod. 

Simeon ) jj^j, jjg^od King ! 
and others. ) 

Her. Arrest 

The traitor Joseph, and without delay 
Strike off his head. 

Mar. No, no! He is not to blame! 
'T was my fault, Ilerod. He would not have sinu'd, 
Had I not tempted him. 

Her. And dar 'st thou this ? 

Even to my beard ! Now, by my father's sword 

Mar. Take no rash oath. Forgive me, and on him 

Have mercy. He but err 'd in love for thee. 
Her. In love for me ? Adulteress ! 

Mar. Ah! 
' Her. Thy tongue 

Is mute again o' the sudden. But thy looks 



2J:8 



MARIAJINE 



Vainly resume their insolent disdain. 

"What! hast thou dropp'd it ? Well. But not that change 

To stony apathy will avail thee aught, 

Or move my judgment. 

To Capt. of the Guards.'] 

Must I bid again? 
Out with the traitor and strike off his head. 

Jo. Hear me ! 

Her. No word. Away with him, I say ! 
Mar, Farewell, kind Joseph. Thou art better off 
Than bound to a tyrant's service. A brief pang 
Saves thee from all that misery I must bear. 
Hei'. Let him not speak. 

Jo. [as he is hurried off. 

God bless thee, Mariamne. 

[Exit with Guard. 
Her. 'T will not be here. 

To Mar.] Since thou preferr 'st his pang, 
Thine shall be like it. Bear her off to death. 

Sim. My lord the King ! 

Antip. My father ! 

Alex, [who^ toith Arista., clings to Mar. 
O my mother! 
Her. Simeon, what would 'st thou ? But beware! thy mouth 
Breathes on the fire. 

Sim. Let its flames stretch out 
Their fork'd tongues to lick up my blood, if aught 
I utter save what fits the King to hear. 
Her. To the point, ere I forget what thou wast once. 



ACT. V. sc. 3. 249 

Sim. What would my lord do ? Will his wrath o'erleap 
The bounds of law and justice ? Sliall men say 
That Herod in his anger would not wait 
To sift the proofs, but from his council snatch 'd 
The right to adjudge to death ? 

Ser. The proofs are clear 
And need not sifting, and the treasonous crime 
Admits of no delay. What ! shall the King 
Hold back his hand, where not the meanest slave 
Would in his own case hesitate to strike, 
Or striking would be censur 'd ? What hast thou, 
Antipater, to urge ? Be quick ; nor think 
To stay the lightning. 

Antip. No, to change its course. 
Her. Hah ! What wouldst thou ? 

• Antip. Why should blood be shed? 
That in a moment wipes out all remorse 
And makes punition transient. Give, O sire. 
Her body to the dungeon. So shall men 
Applaud thy mercy, and the future time 
Want pretext to attaint the Great King's name 
With cruelty or rashness. 

Her. Boldly said, 
But not unwisely. 

Do. [apart to Antip. 

No, but take thou heed 
Thy craft trip not thyself. 

Salo. Beware, O King! 
Thy heart is wax to beauty. 'T was the wiles 



250 



MAKIAMNE 



Of woman that shore Samson of Lis strength 
And made the wisest of all earthly kings 
Turn from his God to idols. Wouldst thou give 
The adulteress power to guile thee hy soft words 
Of fabulous explanation, that, set free, 
She may ope the door of her chamber to more men ? 
Her. Hah ! What hast thou to answer ? [to Mar. 

Alex. Mother, speak. 
Show the King thou art innocent, as thou art. 
O father, listen ! For us, if not for her, 
Stain not our names. 

Her. Peace ! is it of my will ? 
Why speaks she not ? 

Aristo. "Why should she speak ? The heart 
Swells at unjust reproach too much for speech : 
Guilt leaves it freer. 

Her. Look thou to thyself. 
Grows thy young blood rebellious, it shall out 
Though all the Maccabees had fill 'd thy veins 
And thou wast my sole issue. — Once again. 
And for the last time, what hast thou to say ? 
Mar. Nothing. 

Her. Nothing? 

Mar. Even so much as that 
Tortures my spirit more than 'twill to go ■ 
The way my grandsire and my brother led. 
JTer. Saystthou? So be it. Go. [mahing asign to the Guard. 
Ala. Go, wicked heart 
And stony, on whose harden 'd guilt nor love 



ACT V. sc. 3. 251 

Nor lenience makes impression. 

31ar. Mother! 

Ala. Go! 
M(ir. I pity thee. Not thus thou wilt escape 
Tlie jaws that gape for tliee and for us all. 
O my poor boys ! my beautiful ! my brave ! 
My darlings ! Take my blessing — and my fears. 
Be prudent and more humble. Anger not 
The King : he is your sire. I seem to see 
Your manly yet young necks already spout 
In the air their life-blood. — 

ITe7\ Part them ! 

Mar. This will do it 
[opening the ring. 
As promptly as thy guards, and for all time 
As surely as the axe. Thanks, Cleopatra. 

[Throws doicn the ring. 
Her What means she? [Mar. falls into her so7is' arms. 
Alex. Mother ! mother ! 

Aristo. Oh ! 

Antip. Alas, ^^ 
She is in convulsions. Help ! Is there no help ? 

Herod stands as if stupijied. 

Ala. Pity not her. But pity the great king 
To whom she was so thankless. 

Her. [in fury.} Thankless? Never! 
Or was she so, it was that thou didst prompt, 
Thou the she-serpent ever in her ear 



252 MARIAJINE 



Hissing t]ie thought of evil. IIo there, guards! 
Lead off this woman. Let the headsman's hlock 
Soak her rank hlood. No word from any one ! 
"Who speaks for her shall die. 

Alexandra is led off, Salome attending 

the {/roup to the door, her eyes fixed 

the whole time on Alexandra. 

Her. [kneeling liy Mar.'] O Mariamne! 
Art thou then going ? 

Antij). She is gone, my lord. 
Her hands are cold already. 

Her. come back I 
Come back but to forgive me. Ope those lips, [kissing her. 
My beautiful and lov'd ! I will believe 
All thou shalt say, so thou wilt but forgive. 
Thou wast too proud to sin, and I was mad. 
Was that a breath ? 

Antip. Alas, the final gasp. 

Simeon brings a cmhioru. Maeiamnb is laid down 

by Alexander arid Aristoboulos, who kneeling, each on 

one knee, remain at her head, 

covering their faces. 

Her. Dead ? dead? Yes, yes, her cheeks are cold, her lips. 
that I might bring down this house in ruins 
And bury us all with thee! O Mariamne ! 

[Falls over the body. 

The Curtain drops. 



KO TES 



NOTES TO MARTAMNE 



1. — P. 167. I found them on the sea shore — ] Namely, of the 
Dead Sea. Josephus tells us merely of Alexandra's secret cor- 
respondence with Cleo^jatra, and of Alexandra's attempted 
escape to Egypt with her sou, she having had two coffins made 
in which they were carried to the seaside, as though they were 
dead bodies. He says nothing of the escort, which I take from 
the defeated stratagem of Hyrcanus, alluded to in So. 3. But 
there is nothing improbable in the idea of Cleopatra's sending 
one on this occasion. 

2. — P. 168. — the Oalatians.'] The supposed escort which 
Cleopatra had sent. Antony had given her as a guard 400 
of these men, which body was transferred to Herod after her 
death, along with Galatia, by the favor of Augustus. Josephus. 

3. — P. 168. — ^sop.] That one of Alexandra's servants 
who, supposing Sabbion to be already in the secret, inadvert- 
ent y spoke to him about the preparation for flight. Id. 



256 NOTES TO 



4. — P. 168. — in my great father' s death —"[ Antipater, Her- 
od's father, was poisoned by Hyrcanus' butler, at the instiga- 
tion of one Malichus, a Jewish commander in the time of Cas- 
sius. Id. — In the Greek, Sahbion has the accent on the penul- 
tima — Tiaj3i3[(ov. But as the o is long, it is very diflQcult to 
pronounce the name except with the stress of the voice on the 
last or the first syllable, which latter mode is adopted lor the 
text as at once the more natural and more proper one in 
English. It is thus that Ovid ( Fast. v. 5 ), while, in his 
laudable partiality for Greek terminations in the inflec- 
tion of Greek names, adopting OrlOiia, has shortened the 
penultimate : 

" Quoram si mediis Boeoton Oriona quaeres." 

This kind of alteration is, however a very general one in all 
tongues. It is the genius of the language into which they are 
transferred that inevitably dictates in the case of proper and 
geographical names the mode of their reception ; and there can 
be no rule to govern us in their pronunciation except polite 
usage. Thus Her odes becomes Herod in English, while Aris- 
tdbu'lus, preserving in its accentuation the quantity both of the 
original and of the Latin form, is with advantage written, as in 
the text, Aristohoulos. 

5. — P. 169. I lifted to the seat that was her sire's — ] It is one 
of the many illustrations of the decline in the strict observance 
of the ancient law that prevailed at this time in Judea, that 
Herod could act in the matter of the high-priestship as he did. 
While affecting to show great respect to Hyrcanus, whom he had 
managed to get into his power by persuading or encouraging 
him to come to Jerusalem, he sent for an obscure Jewish cap- 
tive of Babylon (so Josephus speaks of this person, though in 



MARIABINK 257 



his very next chapter (Antiq. xv. iii) he says with more probability 
he was of the lineage of the high-priests) named Ananelus, and 
puts him in that seat which Hyrcanns, lately hierarch and king, 
could no longer till, as will presently be seen (note 9). But 
Alexandra, Hyrcanus' daughter and Herod's mother-in-law had, 
besides Mariamne, a child by Alexander who resembled greatly 
the latter's father Aristobulus the king, whose name he bore, 
and Alexandra took it ill that he should not have been preferred. 
So she managed by secret message to Cleopatra to interest in his 
behalf Autonius, who, allured by the picture of his beauty 
according to Josephus, desired to have the boy. To allow of 
his departure, with the chance of the Triumvir's favor, would 
not have suited Herod, whose object was to get and keep the 
whole of Hyrcanus' family in his power, to dispose of them as 
his inter( sts suggested. Therefore pretending to the Roman 
that it would have caused trouble in Jerusalem to permit the 
royal youth to leave, and to Alexandra, and others at home, that 
he had only set up Ananelus because of Aristobulus' extreme 
youth, he agrees to put the latter, although then not seventeen 
years old, in his place. Alexandra, as crafty as Herod, though 
without his force and determination, affected to be content, dis- 
claiming any idea of the supreme civil power in connection with 
her son. And so matters stood at the opening of the drama, both 
secretly detesting each other, but Alexandra fearing while con- 
tinually plotting, and Herod, with a tyrant's eye, ever on the 
watch to circumvent her, and never more so than when he 
seemed most careless and secure. 

6. — P. 170. — who starved his mother, and look off By 
murderous hands Ids brother — ] Aristobulus, the eldest 
of the sons of John Hyrcanus, and the first of the Asamo- 



258 NOTES TO 



nean race who wore the diadem. Both miirders were 
committed through the jealousy of au ambition which has 
been the source of so many personal crimes in every 
monarchy. 

7. — P. 170. — those brave men, Sprung with their sire from a 
village priest — ] The five sons of Matthias or Mattathias, son 
of Asamoneus or Asmoneus. It was from the ablest of these, 
Judas, surnamed Maccabeus, that arose the well-known name 
which always conveys to us an idea of heroism and patriotic 
worth. The family, and especially their descendants, are other- 
wise known as the Asamonean or Asmonean race, from the name 
of their obscure progenitor. 

8. — P. 171. — to cross Ayid prison, etc.] Herod's energies, 
in the commencement of his reign, were largely directed to the 
extirpation of the robbers that infested Judea. 

9. — P. 171. — with his earless head — ] Antigonus, son of Aris- 
tobulus, when by the aid of the Parthians he had got possession 
of Judea, caused Hyrcanus' ears to be lopped off, that, being 
thus mutilated, he might be rendered incapable, by the law of 
Moses, of regaining the high-priestship. In one place, ( Wars 
I. xiii. ), Josephus tells us that Antigonus tore them off with 
his own teeth. Herod, acting on the advice of Hyrcanus' 
daughter Alexandra, mother of Maiiamne, to whom he was 
betrothed, escaped from Jerusalem and probable death at the 
hands of Antigonus, while his brother Phasaelus, captive like 
Hyrcanus, put himself with a valorous desperation to death by 
dashing his head against a rock, or perhaps the wall of his 
prison, his hands being bound. 



MARIAMNE 259 



10- — P. 171. — his great precursor — ] John of that name, 
mentioned in Note 6 ; an able and fortunate ruler. 

11. — P. 171. Whose downy lips, etc.] This is alluded to in 
Note 5. Josephus would have it that Alexandra sent pictures of 
both Mariamne and her young brother to Antonius, with aui_ 
abominable purpose ; and that the licentious Roman was de- 
terred from sending for Mariamne, as he did for the boj', out 
of fear of Cleopatra. The historian's acquaintance with the 
Konians of his time, made him sufficiently familiar with their 
bestial proneness to the vice against nature, and he distinctly 
charges Herod {Aniiq, xvn. ii. ad Jin.) with a like enormity, 
which we cannot call imitative, because Moses, fresh from the 
abominations of Egypt, made it, 1500 years before, a subject of 
penal prohibition : Levii. xx. 13 and 23. 

12. — P. 173. — my lord the King, Thou art too hountiful.'\ 
Like many other tyrants, Herod was lavish in expenditure where 
to be so subserved his interests ; and in the ostentation of his 
ambition he spared not in the adornment of his realm. But of 
real generosity it may well be questioned if he was capable, since 
he appears to have been almost destitute of any feeling of be- 
nevolence, or of any real affection apart from that which is 
evinced by egotistical and selfish persons, who seem to be tender 
of those who are part of them, and readily defend their inter- 
ests or avenge their v/rongs, but sacrifice them unscrupulously 
on the very first offence or in the simple jealousy of suspicion. 
Thus we see cruel and thoroughly selfish men often fond of 
animals and stanch to those of their own kind who, like dogs, 
stand by them in good and bad report. But wo to both dog 
and friend, when it suits them better to cast them off than to 
maintain them. — See Note 14. 



260 NOTES TO 



13. — P. 173. — and the greed Of my wife's foresire, etc. — ] 
John Hyrcanus, who opened the sepulchre of David, and, accord- 
ing to Josephns, took thence 3.000 talents : a preposterous 
statement, but in keeping with other exaggerations of the histo- 
rian and with his remark, in loc {Antiq. xttt. viii. ), that David 
iu wealth surpassed all other kings. Herod, in the needs of 
his ambition, essayed the adventure of the Maccabee, but found 
nothing save the gctlden ornaments, which he did not scruple to 
appropriate, and was only deterred from penetrating to the very 
place of the dead by a miraculous flame which, as was reported, 
slew two of his guards, {ib. xvi. viL ) 

14.— P. 173. 31y lord's soul is too large for this small realm, 
etc. — ] In Chap. v. Book xvi. of the Antiquities, we have it 
said in relation to the magnificence of Herod in celebrating 
games on the occasion of the completion of the building of 
Csesarea Sebaste, — a magnificence grossly exaggerated, as every- 
thing of the kind that respects outlay of money or splendor of 
construction is by Josephus throughout, — Ayid they say that both 
Ccesar himself and Agrippa oftentimes remarked, that the extent of 
Herod's rule loas not adequate to the magnanimity which was in him; 
' for he loas worthy of having the kingdom of all Syria and, of Egypt, 
ed. Hudson {Oxon. in fol. 1720) T. ii. p. 720. 

In the concluding § of the chapter, the Jewish historian 
shows himself somewhat of a reasoner, notwithstanding his ill- 
considered remark as to Herod's natural beneficence. He finds 
nothing irreconcilable in his magnificence and his cruelty. He 
, paints him in fact as a true type of the Eastern tyrant, prompt, 
criiel, and wide-sweeping in the execution of his resentments, 
lavish in all that tended to the glory of his reign in pomp and 



MARIAMNE 



261 



outward greatness, and avaricious, because his very lavishness 
made it necessary for him to oppress his people to procure the 
means of its display. 

15. — P, 184. Bui to me, Lord, etc.] This is not over- 
sti'ained hypocrisy on the part of Herod. I need not remind 
the reader of the devotional spirit ascribed to Louis XI. and so 
well depicted in one of the very foremost of romances, and 
one of the foremost of all that we owe to the greatest of all novel- 
ists, Quentln Durward. But turn to the Psalms of David, and we 
shall find even that pious king offering in like manner to bribe 
the All-giving, and to blind the All-knowing. If he promises not 
a temple, yet he holds out the supposed attractions of laud and 
grateful adoration. * 

It is, I am sorry to add, a religious misconceit which perhaps 
has been transmitted to us through the oral services of our own 
imitative worship, but which nevertheless is but the natural 
sequence and at the same time accompaniment of human ego- 
tism and mental blindness. Our conceptions of the Deity are 
founded on the knowledge of ourselves, and, similar in all reli- 
gions and at every era, are natiirally most degraded where the 
mind is most debased and kept most servile. 

As Mariamne may one day be represented, let it be permitted 
me, whose sacrifice of poetry to truth, or rather of the ornamen- 
tal to the proper in rhetorical art, is not acknowledged and not 
always comprehended, to annex other and more ornate readings 
for the close of the Act. I have rejected them from the publica- 

* See in relation to Herod, to ■whom Josephus unreflectingly assigns both 
greatness of mind and piety, the observation at the close of chap. xx. Bk. 
I. of the Wars, in connection, as the historian himself designs, with the 
opening of the next chapter. 



262 NOTES TO 



tion-copy, because, as I have indicated for my own use in the 
original draught, they ' ' are not natural in the situation. " 

The yet green sceptre-rod. And I, O Lord, 
Porgive Thou mo this necessary crime, 
Will build Thy House, where once the Cherubs stood 
"With "wings that touch'd before the cover'd Ark, 
Shading Thy glory, greater than before j 
-That pagans, etc. 

Win build Thy House, -where once the Cherubim, 
With golden wings that met before the Ark, 
Shadow'd Thy glory, greater than before ; 
That, etc. 

16. — P. 188. As thought our sires. — ] The Jews had no 
belief, certainly none positive or general, in a future state, till 
after the Captivity. Moses, in combining with so many of the 
ceremonies of the religion to which he was bred, the pure idea 
of the one God which was probably the secret creed of the 
Egyptian priesthood, had no conception of that lofty, and for 
good men consolatory faith, which had its cradle in the. farther 
East. But after thej' had embraced it, his i^eople were not better 
than before, as witness the horrors of this Herod's reign. It 
is a mournful thought, yet a true one, that the belief in an after 
state, while it sustains virtue, and lifts still higher the soul that 
is already above the earth, arrests not vice, while it is often, and 
especially through the fatal doctrine of the atonement, the 
stronghold of the hypocrite and the convenient cover under 
which the religionist that is not virtuous commits innumerable 
wrongs against his own soul as well as the well-being of others. 

17. — P. 190. 7s iciih his other icives.l Herod had ten in 
all, including Doris and Mariamue ; and all living at one time. 



MARIAMNE 263 



18. — P. 19J5. And by his shrunk ihUjh, eic.'\ Genesis, xxxn. 21, 
25, and 31, ^2. 

19.— P. 202. To farm of me, eic.^ Jos. Ant. xv. iv. 

20. — P. 205. For the tiara, not the purple bend — ] Or, for 
the Stage : 

For the priest's bonnet, not the royal bend. 

21. — P. 208. — which the Lord hath spar\l So often in worse 
danger — ] Josephus records two instances (Aiitiq. xiv. xv. 
§§ 11, 13) of what he seems to consider a providential interven- 
tion in the accidents of Herod. It is not inconsistent with his 
atrocious character, and perfectly consistent with its vigorous 
egotism, that the Jewish tyrant should interpret his escape in 
the same way. History is liberal of instances of kings as 
wicked, who had the same belief in their special protection by 
Providence. ' 

22. — P. 210. puissant — ] Is here but of two syllables, as in 
its French original ; and the first one is pronounced as the 
similar one in the law term "puisne": peio'6d«i (the short a 
running into the sound of short e or short i.) 

23. — P. 210. ^^^^at had done, etc., etc.] See Jos. Ant. xvn. 
vi. ; or Notes to The New Calvary, — Note 25, p. 151 of this volume. 
The cause of the atrocity is however sufficiently intimated in 
the present text. 

But on reflection, and considering Josephus' aptness to over- 
estimate, and his easy credulity in matters of tradition, I am 
inclined to think that the number of the victims is greatly exag- 
gerated. What should forty men be doing in such a task ? 



' 2G4 NOTES TO 

They would be iu oue another's way. Ten were an embarrassing 
number, and four or five must have been more than enough. 
It may well be however that the larger number compre- 
hends all who were in anyway concerned, those who abetted 
and applauded the movement as well as those who took an 
active part in it. Indeed we are told, that the forty were those 
who stood their ground on the approach of the guard, the rest 
of the crowd dispersing. Herod, to whose atrocity is ascribed 
the mythical absurdity of the Massacre of the Innocents, * was, 
iu his old age, ferocious enough to take so sweeping a revenge. 

His stupendous cruelty in fact amounted to a monomania, 
and it is far more a matter of wonder that the Jews should have 
brooked so merciless a tyrant, than that on his deathbed he 
should have given that monstrous order for the slaughter of the 
principal men iu the hippodrome, and overlooked the obvious 
probabilities that Salome would not dare to obey him or daring 
would not be permitted. 

24. — P. 211. But half a Jew : ] Thus Antigonus, when Herod 
was before Jerusalem ; while the old robber, who surprised in 
his cavern preferred suicide to crucifixion, threw iu his teeth the 
meanness of his origin. (Jos. Ant. siv. ) The historian himself, 
with his usual inconsistency, after dilating on the nobleness of 
the stock of the Asamoneans, and telling of its end through 
Herod, the son of a man who was of merely a common family 
and of no distinguished descent (ib. ad. fin. ) says elsewhere 
(Wars. I. vi.), that Herod's father was one of the foremost 
persons of Idumea, not only in his ancestry and wealth, but by 
the authority he held ! cf. Ant. xiv. i. 3. In fact, the pride 

* See however ( for what it is worth ) the last § in the Dissertation of 
CeUarius bolow referred to. 



MARIAMNE 205 



of Mariamne's family, which was a principal cause of Salome's 
fatal hatred, had some such sort of foundation as the Cardinal 
de' Medici's vehement disdain of the Capelli. {HeeBianca Capelio, 
text and notes : Vol. I. pp. 285 and 357, sqq. ) It was not 
50 years since the Asamonean race wore the diadem in the person 
of Aristobulus, son of John Hyrcanus. Thus : Aristobulus 
1 year, Alexander Janneus 27 years, Alexandra, widow of Jan- 
neus, 9. And during the reign of Aristobulus, her son and suc- 
cessor, and his contention with his brother, the Hyrcanus of 
my text, Antipater was made by Caesar procurator of Judea, 
and appointed Herod governor of Galilee, and Phasael governor 
of Jerusalem, {infra, Note 29.) Then Herod is made procura- 
tor of Syria by Cassius and Brutus. Then Antony makes Herod 
and Phasael tetrarchs {note 30), and finally Herod king. And 
Josephus says that, on account of the merit of these two sons 
and of his own, Antipater was honored as a king by the na- 
tion. Wars I. X. 5. See the Dissert. Cellarii appended to Hud- 
son's ed., § ni. 

25. — P. 211. Thouwak'st a frightful memory. Etc.] Herod 
introduced games after the manner of the Romans, in honor of 
Cffisar, and, with like imitative magnificence, built a theatre at 
Jerusalem and an amphitheatre in the plain. All of which 
caused great offence, but especially the trophies which sur- 
rounded the theatre, and which the Jews took or affected to 
take to be images of men covered with armor, until he showed 
them they were simple wooden frames so enveloped. But he 
did not thereby content the more bigoted or the seditious. So 
there was formed a desperate conspiracy of ten men to slay him 
in the theatre. It was discovered by one of his spies, and the 
ten were put to death with tortures. Thereupon the spy was 



266 NOTES TO 



torn to pieces by an enraged mob, and thrown to the dogs. To 
find out the perpetrators of this retaliatory act and avenge the 
insult thus offered to his authority, Herod, in the absurd as well 
as cruel practice of that barbarous day, which suited well his 
nature, habits, and notions of repressive rule, put to the torture 
certain women, who confessed, probably without knowledge, 
as to what they had witnessed, and the despot made clean work 
of the entire families of those accused by this extorted confes- 
sion. Aniiq. sv. viii : where the record of these events follows 
that of Mariamne's death. But in the Wars ( i. xxi. ) it is made 
to precede it. 

26. — P. 215. The earthquake, that late rag'cl — ] See Aid. 
XV. v. § 2. 

27. — P. 217. His royal blood, etc.] Mariamne was on the 
father's side daughter of Hyrcanus' brother's son, as on the 
mother's of Hyrcanus' daughter. 

28.— P. 217. Ami re7iderd iributary. "} Aniiq. xv. v. 

29. — P. 218. Did I, ichen, etc.] When Herod was 25 years 
old, his father Antipater, Procurator of Judea, as we have seen, 
and an able man, set him over Galilee, making at the same time 
Phasael, Herod's elder brother, governor of Jerusalem. Hyr- 
canus was then High-priest, and nominally King. Herod clears 
Syria of robbers ; Phasael also deserves well in his government ; 
and Antipater and his sons grow greatly in favor with the peo- 
ple. (Compare, above. Note 2'±. ) This excited envy, and per- 
thaps a reasonable apprehension, among the principal men, 
who set Hyrcanus against Antipater and his family. Among 
other things in proof of the tyrannical disposition of Herod, 



MARIAMNE 267 



they urged that he had of his own volition slain Hezekias chief 
ol' the robbers, although the death-puuishment in any case was 
forbidUen except when authorized by the Sanhedrim. So too 
the mothers of others slain implore Hyrcanus to bring Herod 
to tria\ Sextus C;Bsar, president of Syria, writes to Hyrcanus 
to have Herod cleared. Hyrcanus, who loved the latter ( accord- 
ing to Josephus,) and was moreover of a pliant and irresolute 
temper, readily yielded to what was in fact a command. But, 
at the suggestion of Antipater, Herod appeared before the 
Sanhedrim with an armed escort. Then stood up Sameas, 
(called by the Ta'mudists Simeon son of Shetach,*) a just man 
and therefore svpei-'ior to fear,] and pointing out the enormity of 
this appearance of Herod, who should have come before them 
in the usual attire and with the humbleness of one accused, 
warned them that Herod would one day punish them and the 
King also. Antiq. xiv. ix. : Wars. i. x. Compare Antiq. xv. i. 
§ 1 ; where Josephus assigns to one Pollio, a Pharisee (of whom 
he says Sameas was a disciple) the uttering of this sagacious 
prediction. See Note 32. 

30.— P. 218. Was H I who, etc.] A large number of the 
principal Jews came to Antony near Antioch and accused Herod 
and Phasael of usurpation of the government and defiance of 
the natural and acknowledged rights of Hyrcanus, to whom 
they had left nothing but the name of power. Hyrcanus was 
present, and Antonius having heard both the Jews and Messala 

* "WTiiston, after Eeland. Talboys' ed. Osf., 1839. In Bohn's ed. 1847, it 
is spelled Shetaoh. I have ado^itcd that wMch is most likely to be the true 
reading, having no opportunity to verify either. 

t . . . StKato; avrip, xai. 6 t a r o v t o tov 6e5ievai KpetTTUV . ., 
A notable, indeed noble sentiment, which I could wish were philosopicaUy 
coiTect. 



268 NOTES TO 



who (probably at the instigatiou of the triumvir) defended the 
brothers, turned to Hyrcanus and asked him as in the text, 
receiving the answer as there given. The Eomau accordingly 
made the brothers tetrarchs and confirmed them in the govern- 
ment. Wars. I. xii. 

31. — P. 219. WJien from my Farthian refuge — ] "When on 
the capture of Jerusalem, mentioned in Note 9, Hyrcanus was 
carried off by the Parthians, he was treated geuerouslj' by their 
king, who set him free and assigned him a habitation iu Baby- 
lonia among his own countrymen. These showed the unfortu- 
nate high-priest the honor due to his former condition and his 
hereditary rank ; and it was in despite of their remonstrances, 
that Hyrcanus, yielding to his own desire, the flattery of his 
hopes and Herod's treacherous solicitations, returned for the 
last time to the fatal city. 

32. — P. 221. I owe thee much:} It was Sameas {Simeon o{ 
the text), or Sameas together with Pollio, who at the siege of 
Jerusalem by Herod and Sosius, Antony's general, advised the 
people, as the least of two evils, to admit Herod. Aniiq. xrv. 
ix. and sv. i. 

33. —P. 226. Beat out my brains like Phasael — ] See Note 9, 
at its close. 

34. — P. 231. Was the tcord "vermin"?] Josephus, in more 
than one place, s^seaks of Alexandra as a woman of unusual 
shrewdness. To assign to her, as here by implication, perspi- 
cacity, quickness of observation, and promptness in deduction, 
is not to overdraw her character. 

I beg leave to add, that I have the same authority for the 



MARIAMKE 269 



ability shown by AyUipater and Salome, and for the cunning of 
Boris. These therelbre, with Herod, Mariamne, and the other 
prominent personages, are historical portraits, painted with 
such exactness of design as it is possible to give them in a work 
of this nature. The coloring is, as I dare to claim it to be in 
all my dramas, perfectly after nature. 

35.— P. 251. What means she? Qtc.'\ The natural and first 
reading was : 

Her. What doth, she mean ? 

Alex. [Aristo. silently weeping. 
Mother 1 mother I 

Antip. Alas ! 

but, unhappily, it is rythmically defective. The passionate 
Aristoboulus silently weeping is not only more characteristic but 
effective than the exclamation which was required to fill up the 
verse iu the text. 



List of Mr. Osborn's Plays 

Comprised in the present eight volumes of the Series. 
[The names in Italics are of those already published.] 

J "Volume I. 
Calvary: Vii-ginia: Bianca G'apeto (with Historical Appendices). 
Tragedies. 

>1 Volume II. 
Ugo da Este : Vberto : Tlie Cid of Seville (with Critical Analyses 
of the Estrella of Lope and Sancho Ortiz of Trigueros) : The 
Last Mandeville : The Heart's Sacrifice : The Monk : Matilda of 
De-ainarJc Tragedies. 

Volume III. 
Meleagros : Deianeira : Palamedes : (Enone : Pyrrhus, Sou 
of Achilles. Tragedies. 

vl Volume IV. 
The Silver Head: The Double Deceit: The Montanird: Tlie 
School for Critics. Comedies. 

Volume V. 
The Magnetiser : The Prodigal : His Uncle's Heir. The Dead 
Alive Comedies in Prose.. 

Volume VI. 
The Neio Calvary : Mariamne : Hadaeeah : Esther : Saul : 
Samson : Jephthah. Tragedies. 

Volume VIL 
The Cavalipr : The Altar of Duty : Henry III. of France : 
Henry IV. of France : Joanna of Naples. Tragedies. 

Volume VIII 
The Noble Eevenge : Comedies. 



Nolo ready, and to be had separately, Vols. I. II. and IV. 

For sale by HENiiY L. HINTON, 

714 Broadway. 



